CBS Sports shared an interesting story about an NFL player who is retiring and pursuing a new career as a firefighter. The player, Tom Zbikowski, spent five years in the league before being released by the Chicago Bears in August, which marked the end of his football career. Zbikowski, a former standout at Notre Dame, revealed to the Chicago Tribune’s David Haugh that he had lost his passion for the game long before his release. “No, not really,†he said. “It hasn’t been for a while. Football got old to me. I enjoyed my first two years in the NFL because it was a challenge. I was playing with the best. But after a while, you don’t care whether you win or lose because you’re still getting a paycheck. I enjoyed high school and college much more.†He began his NFL journey with the Baltimore Ravens before moving to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. That year turned out to be the most difficult for him, both personally and professionally. To cope, Zbikowski turned to heavy drinking. “I’m the only guy who can drink six beers, then spar 10 rounds on the same day,†he joked, highlighting his background as a skilled boxer. The drinking became so extreme that he would often drink the night before games, treating it almost like a ritual. According to Haugh, his go-to mix was “four glasses of scotch and four Guinnesses.†Out of the 64 games he played, Zbikowski estimated that at least 12 were under the influence of a hangover. “Get a little messed up, sneak a girl into your room, feel on top of the world,†he said. “I had some of my best games off of benders — some of my worst too. My two best seasons ever were 2005 (at Notre Dame) and 2009 (in Baltimore), when I was the most out of control drinking, so I thought, hey, maybe I should go back to that.†His excessive drinking led to weight gain, prompting him to take a banned diuretic known as a “water pill.†This resulted in a four-game suspension, which likely contributed to the Bears letting him go. Now, Zbikowski says he no longer relies on alcohol or painkillers and is preparing to start training at the Chicago Fire Department academy next month. “I’ve had an extremely blessed life, and I saved three-quarters of my money, so I can do whatever I want,†he said. “I want to be of service to a community. Firefighters show up in scary situations. They’re symbols of pride, of faith, of what’s good in society. I like to live dangerously.†Zbikowski will become a third-generation firefighter, continuing a family legacy. Thanks Dan Snow Foam Lance,Snow Foam Sprayer,Snow Foamer,Auto Finesse Snow Foam Lance Ningbo Mingou Cleaning Equipment Co., Ltd. , https://www.mingouwash.com