Former NFL safety Tom Zbikowski retires, joining Chicago Fire Departement

Jan 22, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tom Zbikowski (28) carries the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

It wasn’t all that long ago that Tom Zbikowski was harassing quarterbacks at Notre Dame, which lead to the former All-American being selected in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. That college success didn’t exactly translate all that well to the NFL though where Zbikowski struggled, playing for three teams in his short five year career – though most of his time was spent with the Baltimore Ravens who he played with from 2008 to 2011.

After leaving the Ravens, Zbikowski played sparingly for the Indianapolis Colts and then joined the Chicago Bears before being released prior to the start of the 2013 season. It was reported that Zbikowski showed up to camp completely out of shape and expressed that he had lost his desire to play football. He was then suspended by the league for violating the league’s performance-enchaining drug policy.

All those events have lead to the safety hanging up the cleats at just 28, this according to the Chicago Tribune who says Zbikowski plans to join the Chicago Fire Department where he’ll begin training next month:

"“I’ve had an extremely blessed life and I saved three-quarters of my money, so I can do whatever I want and I want to be of service to a community,’’ Zbikowski said. “Firemen show up in scary situations. They’re symbols of pride, of faith, of what’s good in society. I like to live dangerously.’’"

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