From football to fireman

CBS Sports shared an article about an NFL player who is retiring and transitioning to a new career as a firefighter. The story focuses on Tom Zbikowski, a former safety who recently left the Bears and is now preparing to join the Chicago Fire Department.

Zbikowski, a standout at Notre Dame, had a five-year NFL career that ended abruptly in August when the Bears released him. He has since decided to step away from football and pursue a more meaningful path—becoming a firefighter. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune's David Haugh, Zbikowski admitted that his passion for the game had faded over time.

"No, not really," he said. "It hasn’t been for a while. Football got old to me. I enjoyed my first two years 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 spent his first four seasons with the Ravens before moving to the Colts in 2012. That year turned out to be one of the most difficult for him, both professionally and personally. To cope, Zbikowski turned to heavy drinking. He even joked about his unusual routine: "I’m the only guy who can drink six beers, then spar 10 rounds on the same day." An accomplished boxer, he used boxing as a way to stay in shape and manage stress.

His drinking habits became so extreme that he often showed up to games with hangovers. According to Haugh, Zbikowski estimated that out of the 64 games he played, at least 12 were under the influence of a severe 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."

Unfortunately, this lifestyle led to weight gain, and Zbikowski tried to lose weight using a "water pill" that was banned by the NFL. He was suspended for four games, which likely contributed to the Bears' decision to release him.

Now, Zbikowski claims he no longer relies on alcohol or painkillers. He’s 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. I want to be of service to a community," he said. As a third-generation firefighter, he sees the role as more than just a job—it's a calling. "Firemen show up in scary situations. They’re symbols of pride, of faith, of what’s good in society. I like to live dangerously."

With a fresh start ahead, Zbikowski is looking forward to a new chapter filled with purpose and service.

Thanks Dan

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