Tom Zbikowski facts for kids
Zbikowski with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009
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| Saint Patrick High School | |||||||||
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| Position: | Head Coach | ||||||||
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| Born: | May 22, 1985 Park Ridge, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||
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| High school: | Buffalo Grove (IL) | ||||||||
| College: | Notre Dame | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2008 / Round: 3 / Pick: 86 | ||||||||
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Thomas Michael Zbikowski (born May 22, 1985) is an American college football coach and former safety. He is the Head Coach for Saint Patrick High School in Chicago, Illinois. He has held this position since 2025. Tom Zbikowski played in the National Football League (NFL). He was also a professional boxer and a firefighter. The Baltimore Ravens picked him in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He earned All-American honors playing college football for the University of Notre Dame. He played there from 2003 to 2007.
Zbikowski also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears.
Contents
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Thomas Michael Zbikowski was born on May 22, 1985. He grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He was the youngest of four children. His parents were Edmund Richard and Susan Lois Zbikowski. His family has Polish and German roots.
He went to Greenbrier Elementary School and Thomas Middle School. Then he attended Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. He graduated in 2003. As a young player, he played for the Buffalo Grove Bills and the Bensenville Bandits. In high school, he played quarterback. He set school records for scoring and rushing. Later, he also played as a defensive back.
College Football Career
Zbikowski played college football at Notre Dame. He started playing in 2004 as a sophomore. He played in all 12 games. He made 70 tackles and forced two fumbles. He was named Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week in September 2004. This was after a great game against Michigan State. He had nine tackles, forced a fumble, and returned it for a 75-yard touchdown. He also got his first interception in that game.
Becoming a Star Player
During his junior year, Zbikowski became one of college football's best all-around players. He was excellent as a safety and a return specialist. He scored four touchdowns in 12 games. Two were from interception returns and two from punt returns. He made 71 tackles and led his team with five interceptions. He helped the Irish reach the Fiesta Bowl. After this season, he was named a Third-Team Associated Press All-American.
In 2006, he was a team captain. He was chosen for the second-team All-American squad by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He helped the Irish get a spot in the Sugar Bowl. He was also a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. He ended the year with 79 tackles. He recovered a fumble for a touchdown against Penn State. He also had his third career punt return touchdown against North Carolina.
Zbikowski played a fifth year at Notre Dame in 2007. He had a career-high 80 tackles. He also had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He continued to be a strong return player. He graduated in May with degrees in sociology and computer applications.
Professional Football Career
Baltimore Ravens Years
The Baltimore Ravens picked Zbikowski in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played four seasons for the Ravens. He was a defensive back and kick returner. He played in 56 games for the Ravens. He started 14 games as a safety. He played his first professional game on September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He made his first tackle on special teams in that game. In 2009, he had two interceptions. He also helped the team as a returner. He became a free agent after the 2011 season.
Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears
Zbikowski signed with the Indianapolis Colts in March 2012. He was the Colts' main starting strong safety. He got injured during the 12th game of the season. He missed the rest of the regular season. He did return for a playoff game. The Colts lost that game to his old team, the Baltimore Ravens. Indianapolis released him in March 2013.
In March 2013, Zbikowski signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears. However, he was released in August during training camp.
Retirement from Football
In September 2013, Zbikowski was suspended by the NFL for four games. This was for violating the league's policy on certain substances. He later explained that he took a substance to help him lose weight. He said he did not like cheating.
Zbikowski decided to retire from the NFL. He said that football "got old" to him. He enjoyed his first two years because it was a challenge. But after a while, he felt he didn't care as much about winning or losing. He enjoyed high school and college football more.
In 2015, Zbikowski became a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department. He was no longer with the Fire Department as of 2019.
Coaching Career
In 2022, Zbikowski started his coaching career. He was hired as a defensive quality control coach for Western Michigan.
In August 2023, Zbikowski became the safeties coach at Brown University.
Since February 1, 2025, Zbikowski has been the head coach for the Saint Patrick High School football team.
Boxing Career
Zbikowski also had a career as a professional boxer. He started boxing in 2006. He mostly fought in the cruiserweight division. He won all 8 of his official fights. Five of these wins were by knockout.
Early Fights
On June 10, 2006, while still in college, Zbikowski had his first professional boxing match. It was at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He won by TKO in the first round. This fight followed NCAA rules.
He had an exhibition fight in March 2007. After the 2008 NFL season, he paused his boxing career to focus on football.
Return to the Ring
Zbikowski returned to boxing in March 2011. He won by TKO in the first round in Las Vegas.
He then trained with Emanuel Steward, a famous boxing coach. Zbikowski won his next fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in March 2011. This extended his winning streak to three.
He won his fourth fight in April 2011 with a first-round knockout. After a temporary suspension related to a test, it was lifted.
Zbikowski returned to the ring again in 2016. He won all three of his fights that year. His last fight was on October 17, 2017. He defeated a boxer named Martez Williamson.
Images for kids
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Zbikowski with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Tom Zbikowski para niños
