Tom Zbikowski Official Website
http://www.tomzbikowski28.com/
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Bio
Personal Life: Thomas Michael Zbikowski was born May 22, 1985 in Arlington Heights, Illinois
Zibby graduated from Buffalo Grove High School where he was rated 29th on ESPN list of the nation's top 100 players ... Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois ... as a senior in 2002, he threw for 1,382 yards and 11 TDs and rushed for 1,287 yards and 23 TDs (Buffalo Grove single-season record), adding 41 tackles and three interceptions at safety ... named to Illinois all-state team by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette ... selected Great Northwest Defensive Player of the Year by the Pioneer Press ... set Buffalo Grove career records for points scored (274), TDs (45), rushing attempts (406), rushing yards (2,013) and passing attempts (484) ... a three-year starter at quarterback and safety who also returned punts and kickoffs. During his senior year of High School Zibby committed to Norte Dame to play football. 2004 (SOPHOMORE): Started all 12 games at strong safety ... finished fourth on the team with 70 tackles (37 solos) ... made his collegiate debut against BYU and had five tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss… was named the defensive player of the game in the 2004 Blue-Gold final spring game when he intercepted a pass and was active all over the field ... made 24 special teams appearances and logged 330:35 of playing time. 2005 (JUNIOR): Was one of college football's finest as a safety or punt return man ... one of four recipients of the Nick Pietrosante Award, presented annually to the Notre Dame player who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and pride shown by the late Irish All-America fullback ... accounted for four TDs on returns (two interception returns and two punt returns) ... tough competitor who provided leadership to the secondary and on special teams ... started all 12 games at safety (24 career starts - all consecutive) ... fourth on the team with 71 tackles (42 solos) and a team-best five interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble ... returned 27 punts for 379 yards (14.0-yard average) and two TDs (78 and 60 yards) 2006 (SENIOR): Selected to the second-team All-America squad by the Walter Camp Football Foundation ... Started 12 of 13 games, missing the Stanford game due to injury ... chosen one of three captains (along with Brady Quinn and Travis Thomas) in a vote by his teammates ... also a member of the team's leadership committee ... named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press ... selected a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best defensive back ... despite missing a game, ranked third on the team with 79 tackles and added one tackle for loss, two pass break-ups, two quarterback hurries, forced one fumble and returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown ... also averaged 9.0 yards on 16 punt. Pre Draft: Zibby’s achievements at Norte Dame earned him his invatation to the 2008 NFL scouting combine where he worked out with the Defensive Backs. Measuring in at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing in at 215 pounds, he impressed scouts and helped his draft stock rise by showing his athleticism including running what was then reported to be a 4.65 forty-yard dash. It was later revealed that his time had been misreported and he actually ran the forty-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. After the combine he was rated the best overall strong safety by ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. and NFLdraftscout.com. Zbikowski was then drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round (86th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. Professional Career: In his rookie year, Zbikowski played in all 16 games and had 19 tackles and was a key part to the Ravens top ranked defense. Zbikowski also made his professional boxing debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City, beating his opponent, Robert Bell Arkron, Ohio by TKO within 49 seconds of the first round. The fight was compliant with NCAA guidelines. Bell, who is an Ohio State fan, wore an Ohio State football jersey into the ring. Zbikowski's second fight was against Ryan St. Germaine on March 6, 2007 at the Century Center in South Bend, Indiana. After the 2008 NFL season he decided to put his boxing career on hold to focus on football. |