Tom Zbikowski Walks Away From The NFL, Plans On Becoming A Firefighter In Chicago

Monday, November 18, 2013

Written by: The Post Game

 

Tom Zbikowski (Photo by Getty Images)

Tom Zbikowski was never afraid to pursue his passions off the football field.

The former Notre Dame All-American safety was drafted in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 and has also competed as a professional boxer, winning all four of his bouts.

And now that Zbikowski has lost his desire to play football, he has no fear about moving on.

The 28-year-old Zbikowski was cut by the Chicago Bears earlier this year, and rather than trying to get back on a roster, he has decided to walk away from football to pursue another dream. Both Zbikowski's brother, father and grandfather have worked as firefighters in the Chicago area and, as reported by the Chicago Tribune's David Haugh, Tom will begin Chicago Fire Department academy 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 told Haugh.

Zbikowski's rookie contract with the Ravens was for three years and $1.66 million. His second contract was a one-year deal for $1.2 million. He then signed a three-year contract with the Colts that would have paid him $5.4 million if he had stuck with the team. Although he only played one season in Indianapolis, Zbikowski received a signing bonus of more than $1 million. He also earned more than $225,000 in boxing. That's a gross of more than $4 million.

"Firemen show up in scary situations," he said. "They're symbols of pride, of faith, of what's good in society. I like to live dangerously.''

Zbikowski tried to apply for a spot in the Fire Department earlier this year but was turned away after wearing improper clothes when he went in for his interview.

The Buffalo Grove, Ill., native admitted to Haugh that he had fallen into drinking heavily during his final NFL season, 2012, in which he started 11 games with the Colts. He had lost his passion for the game and turned to alcohol as a reprieve. While he says he had indulged heavily on the nights before game in other years, he said it only started to affect his play in Indianapolis. Before long Zbikowski had gained weight and was not the same player he once was.

Zbikowski took a diet pill that was banned by the NFL, and after failing a drug test he earned a four-game suspension. Had he made an NFL roster in 2013, he would have been suspended until Week 5.

Now, Zbikowski told Haugh, he's stopped binge drinking and has started boxing once again. It's not hard for his family to see that he's in a much better place now than he was one year ago.

"I always thought Tommy overachieved and got everything out of everything in life he could," Ed Zbikowski told Haugh, "so he's content."

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/men-action/201311/tom-zbikowski-nfl-boxing-notre-dame-ravens-firefighter-chicago

Olga Kurylenko Rumored as New Wonder Woman

Olga Kurylenko Rumored as New Wonder Woman

By Brian Powell ·

Olga Kurylenko (Photo by: www.complex.com)

Ask any film buff to list some female movie stars who have played Bond Girls, and one would probably be surprised at the list of names people could produce. However, if anyone spouted the name of the Bond Girl in Quantum of Solace, the world would be surprised.

Despite not being a household name, Olga Kurylenko has starred in several well-known and well-received movies in her brief acting career: Paris, Je’Taime, Hitman, Max Payne, Quantum of Solace, Centurion, To the Wonder, Seven Psychopaths, and Oblivion. Now, the 33 year-old actress is rumored to be testing for the role of Wonder Woman.

According to SchmoesKnow.com insider, The Phantom, Kurylenko is one of the front-runners to become the next Wonder Woman on the big screen.

 

 

The rumor mill concerning the involvement of Wonder Woman in Zachary Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman started earlier this month when it was reported that Thor 2: The Dark World’s Lady Sif, Jaimie Alexander, was in talks with Warner Bros.:

 

Alexander had also recently spoken publicly about her desire to see Wonder Woman return to the big screen, although her endorsement came with certain reservations:

“You know, let’s talk about this for a second: you’ve got very few female superheroes that are dominating films these days, unless they’re in a skintight outfit and their boobs are pushed up to their chin. And it’s not OK. It’s not. There needs to be a positive role model. If you’re going to make Wonder Woman, make it like The Bourne Supremacy. You know, let’s do something awesome like that. Alias was a fantastic show. Why can’t we do that? Why does she have to be in hot pants and spandex and all this stuff? And yeah, I get it, it’s visually stunning for…half of people. But at least make her grow a pair. All she does is eat ice cream while she’s crying over a boy. I know it never aired but that’s what the script said.”

Wonder Woman is not the only thing on Olga Kurylenko’s radar, however. The Ukrainian-born actress has been a hot commodity lately. Currently, Kurylenko is working with the Waldorf-Astoria on a commercial campaign in which she portrays a world-traveler’s experiences visiting the Waldorf-Astoria.

Kurylenko was also recently cast in the lead role of a new supernatural/horror film entitled Mara. The film is being directed and produced by Myles Nestle of The Solution Entertainment Group, Steven Schneider of Room 101 (Paranormal and Insidious), and James Edward Barker and Scott Mann of Mann Made Films. In Mara, Kurylenko plays the role of a criminal psychologist who is attempting to save a victim’s daughter and herself from being killed by a demon which attacks people in their sleep. The film is meant to explore the mythology and legends behind sleep paralysis and Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS).

With those projects, along with several others on her plate, Kurylenko may not have time to devote toward recreating Wonder Woman. All we know at this point is that regardless of who is cast, Batman vs. Superman is going to be amazing

Divo of The Day “Marlon Teixeira” (10/29/13)

Marlon Teixeira, was born on September 16, 1991. Marlon is a Brazilian model of Portuguese, Japanese and Amerindian descent from Santa Catarina.

Marlon started his career when his grandmother introduced him to Anderson, owner of Way Model Management and friend of the family.

He has walked for numerous shows including Emporio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, DSquared, Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier and many more and opened for shows such as Emporio Armani and Dior Homme.Marlon has also appeared on several magazine covers L'Officiel Hommes, Essential Homme, Fiasco, Made in Brazil, Client, and Hercules. Alongside this he has appeared in high fashion editorials for GQ, Vogue Espana, V, Elle, W magazine with Ginnifer Goodwin and Vanity Fair with Shakira.

More impressive is the number of campaigns that he has shot in just over 2 years. These include campaign for some of the most popular fashion brands such us Armani Jeans, Custo Barcelona, Dior Homme, Sergio K, Diesel Underwear, American Eagle, Iceberg, Armani Exchange, Ermanno Scervino, Emporio Armani, and Antony Morato.

In 2011 Marlon became face of new Diesel fragrance "Diesel Fuel for Life Denim Collection" together with Dutch model Marloes Horst. Ad campaign was shot by Terry Richardson and video campaign is directed by Melina Matsoukas. Roberto Cavalli is launching a new fragrance, Marlon became face of new Just Cavalli fragrance "Just for him" together with Georgia May Jagger in 2013. Avon is launching a new perfume, Marlon and Megan Fox became face of new "Instinct" perfume for her and him in 2013.

He took part in Philip Kirkorov's video-clip, "Snow".

Agencies: Way Model Management (Mother Agency, São Paulo), Wilhelmina (New York,Los Angeles), MGM (Paris), Next Models (London), Kult Model Agency (Hamburg), Sight Management Studio (Barcelona), Fashion (Milan), Scoop Models (Copenhagen), Nest Model Management (Berlin).

Clients

Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Exchange, Emporio Armani EA7, Iceberg, Diesel, Roberto Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, American Eagle, Scapa Sports, Custo Barcelona, Ellus Jeans Deluxe, El Palacio de Hierro, Antony Morato, Dolce & Gabbana, DSQUARED, AVVA, Macy's, GQ, L'Officiel magazines, Dior Homme, Ermanno Scervino, Forum, Sergio K, Messagerie, Pull & Bear, Blue Man, Vila Romana, 7th Man Magazine, Citizen K International, Client, Dossier, EY magazine, Essential Homme, Fiasco, Hercules, Made in Brazil, Muse, Playboy, Ponytail, Slurp, So'Chic, V Man, Vanity Fair, Vogue magazines, W Magazine, West East Magazine, TPM Magazine, Gaudi, Malwee, Individual, Kama Classics, Piazza Italia, Lucien Pellat Finet, Elle Man, Coitus magazine, Nordstrom, Caderno Ela, Coca Cola Clothing, Acostamento, Umno, Terranova, Philipp Plein, Guapo, Carlo Pignatelli, Crash, Osklen, Winq, Iódice Denim, Triton, Reserva, Hermes, John Galliano, FHM China, Avon, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara and etc.

Achievements

He is currently ranked 7th on Models.com list of the Top 50 international male models. Teixeira was named the best male model in 2011 by Client magazine, Made in Brazil and Hola! magazine.

Personal

Marlon is of half Portuguese, 1/4 Amerindian and 1/4 Japanese descent. His favorites include surfing, skating, learning new things, traveling, going to the beach, movies, and kiwi juice. Teixeira is best friend with fellow Brazilian model Francisco Lachowski.

Divo of The Day “Rob Gronkowski” (10/22/13)

 

Robert James "Rob" Gronkowski, was born on May 14, 1989. Rob is an American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Arizona, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

 

Rob Gronkowski has been one of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history. In 2011 Gronkowski, in just his second season in the NFL, set the single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end, with 17 receiving touchdowns, and 18 overall. In doing so, he became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league in receiving touchdowns. In his first three seasons, he has 38 receiving touchdowns in 43 games; no other tight end has had more than 25.

2013 season

In February 2013, Gronkowski was diagnosed with an infection in his forearm. He underwent an open procedure (which was the 3rd forearm surgery) to wash away the fragments in an effort to clear the infection and was subsequently placed on a course of antibiotics. On May 20, 2013, Gronkowski underwent a 4th surgery in his forearm to remove the hardware implanted in the second procedure and replace it with fresh hardware. Tissue biopsies were performed, but it was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that doctors were encouraged the infection has finally resolved. On June 18, 2013, Gronkowski underwent back surgery. He was cleared to play for the October 20, 2013 game against the New York Jets.
 

NFL records

• Youngest player with 3 touchdown receptions in a game: 21 years, 214 days (2010, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Youngest player with 3 touchdown receptions in a game, playoffs: 22 years, 275 days (2011 playoffs, vs. Denver Broncos)
• Most touchdown receptions by a tight end, season: 17 (2011)
• Most touchdowns by a tight end, season: 18 (2011)
• First tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns (2011)
• Most receiving yards by a tight end, season: 1,327 (2011)
• Most offensive touchdowns in first two seasons: 28 (Tied with Randy Moss)
• Consecutive seasons with 10+ touchdowns by a tight end, 3

 

Patriots franchise records

• Highest receiving yards per game average for a Tight end (season): 82.9 (2011)
• Youngest Patriot with 3 touchdown receptions in a game: 21 years, 214 days (2010, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Youngest Patriot with 3 touchdown receptions in a game, playoffs: 22 years, 275 days (2011 playoffs, vs. Denver Broncos)

 

 

Personal notes

Rob was nicknamed "Gronk".

A New 'Star Wars' Villain Has Been Revealed!

Move Over, Vader: New 'Star Wars' Villain Revealed!

By Robert Chan

 It says "Rebels" in the title, but make no mistake about it: We're here to see the Empire.

This weekend at New York Comic Con, we got a first look at the new animated TV series "Star Wars Rebels" (debuting on Disney XD in 2014) with a video of "Rebels" executive producer Dave Filoni revealing a number of new/old designs (many are based on original, unseen work from the '70s) for Stormtroopers, Imperials, ships and walkers.

But the biggest reveal was The Inquisitor. "Tasked by Darth Vader to hunt down the remaining Jedi Knights," he bears a lot of resemblance to Darth Maul, the only character killed off way too soon in the prequels. (Imagine how much less whining those movies would have had if Anakin had just wiped out in the pod race.) He even has what looks to be like a double-bladed lightsaber. But his black outfit also suggests he visited Vader's tailor before heading out for some Jedi bashing.

The Empire are such amazing villains — most of the time, we think of them as the rubes who let their Death Star get blown up twice — but we still love them. Filoni says. "When we were at Celebration Europe, the Star Destroyer version from 'Rebels' came up and it got the biggest cheer out of everything we showed. And it really showed me how much fans loved the Empire. They're great bad guys."

Fans are already sharing their diverse opinions on the new baddie. One fan on TheForce.net wrote, "I hate to say this so soon, but the Inquisitor guy sounds like a knockoff of Starkiller," while another added, "I'm a bit concerned while trying to remain excited. I was hoping the show would focus on Vader himself hunting down the Jedi, and I don't want there to be so many Jedi around the time of ANH since Tarkin says they are 'all extinct.'"

Oh, Hey Fitz: Tony Goldwyn WWD’s ‘M’ Fall 2013 Interview

By Danielle Kwateng @danispecialk on October 8, 2013, 9:00am

 

Tony Goldwyn Scandal – interview

 
Everything we needed to know about Tony Goldwyn we read in WWD M magazine’s recent interview with the “Scandal” star. Having come from a strong lineage of Hollywood men, the classically trained actor talks about his upbringing and current projects outside of the hit ABC show.

 

For the spread, Goldwyn wore a mix of American, British and Italian designers –Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Giorgio Armani– looking straight out of a “Old Spice” ad. Debonaire with his sleek brush back, strong jaw line, and piercing eyes, it’s no wonder that the 53-year-old has become America’s newest .

Q&A

  

On his electrifying chemistry with Kerry Washington:

“Our sex scenes are really intense. But so is our relationship. For Kerry and me, it’s no different than doing an emotional scene. It’s just more awkward, almost in the anticipation of it. Once we start doing it, we commit. You’re lost in the scene.. Kerry and I connect on a lot of levels.”

 

On how his wife of 26 years feels about his role:

“My wife’s cool. She’s in the business, I’ve been doing this a long time. Jane’s thrilled for the success of the show, and we’re all professionals, you know.”

 

On his relationship with his grandfather:

“I was almost 14 when he died. He was very old—he was 94—when he died, but we were really close, yeah. I think I share certain aesthetic sensibilities with him. This is a guy who walked from Poland and made his way to America on foot, with one suit of clothing, at age 15. He was a tough son of a Beyotch. And the most charming man ever.”

 

On how his grandfather would feel about him playing the president:

“I think he’d be really thrilled and proud at that, because he would think it had stature, and he would be excited about the career I’ve forged for myself. Because my grandfather was a survivor. He overcame extraordinary adversity. He understood that this is a business of surviving and hanging in there.”

 

 

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