Brian Zbydniewski (/Zeb-ah-new-ski/;[1] born September 15, 1981) is a quarterbacks coach and former professional American football quarterback. Zbydniewski played college football at Belhaven University. During his collegiate career, Zbydniewski set numerous single-game, season, and career passing records. Zbydniewski was inducted into Belhaven's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.[2]

Brian Zbydniewski
refer to caption
Zbydniewski with the Spokane Shock in 2014
No. 3, 14, 11, 17
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1981-09-15) September 15, 1981 (age 43)
Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Fort Walton Beach (FL) Choctawhatchee
College:Belhaven
Undrafted:2005
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career Arena League statistics
Comp. / Att.:532 / 914
Passing yards:6,504
TDINT:116–43
QB rating:92.36
Rushing TD:11
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Early life

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Zbydniewski was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, the son of Brian and Janet Zbydniewski. He has two sisters and two brothers. He was raised Christian, and is of Polish (father) descent. Zbydniewski has mentioned Kurt Warner as one of his inspirations. Zbydniewski attended Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Zbydniewski excelled as a student athlete and played football, basketball, and baseball.

College career

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Zbydniewski graduated from Belhaven University with a degree in Business Administration, and was a starting quarterback for the Belhaven Blazers football team.[3]

Zbydniewski set or tied single-game, season, and career records during his years with the Blazers at Belhaven.[4] He earned numerous awards including All-Time All American, Offensive Player of the Year, Total Offense Champion, Pre-Season "Super Six", First-Team Mid-South Conference Offensive Player,[5] Second-Team All American[6] and was nominated alongside Eli Manning and Rod Davis for the Conerly Trophy Award in 2003 after completing 311 passes for 3,888 yards.[7][8]

Zbydniewski led the nation in passing and total yards in 2003, throwing for 3,888 yards and completing 65% of passes. Currently ranks fourth all time in single-season passing yards per game.

Prior to receiving an athletic scholarship to attend Belhaven University, Zbydniewski attended East Central Community College. During his freshman year at East Central, he was invited to participate in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star game.

Professional career

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(2005–2009)

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Zbydniewski began his professional career with the South Georgia Wildcats of the af2.[9] In 2006, Zbydniewski joined the expansion Spokane Shock. In 2007, he was a member of the Manchester Wolves. In 2009, he played with the Quad City Steamwheelers.

Spokane Shock

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He completed 5-of-12 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie with the Shock and was a part of the ArenaBowl XXIII World Championship team.[10]

Tampa Bay Storm

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In action for the Storm

Passed for 2,825 yards and 56 touchdowns in 11 games with the Tampa Bay Storm. Earned Offensive Player of the Week after completing eight touchdowns for 372 yards.

New Orleans VooDoo

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Saw action in four games for the New Orleans VooDoo,[11] |url completing 4-of-13 passes for 65 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Cleveland Gladiators

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In 2013, Zbydniewski completed 178-of-310 passes for 2,001 yards and 34 touchdowns in nine games with the Cleveland Gladiators.[12] Earned Offensive Player of the Week after completing 24-of-33 passes for 316 yards and eight touchdowns in Cleveland's 64–57 overtime victory. Zbydniewski completed 72.7 percent of his passes in the contest. He also rushed for a score for the third time in four games.

Zbydniewski spent the first part of the 2014 season in rehab for a clavicle fracture.[13]

Spokane Shock

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Completed 106-of-183 passes for 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns in seven games with the Spokane Shock.[14] The Spokane Shock acquired Zbydniewski in a trade from the Cleveland Gladiators on May 20, 2014.[15]

Los Angeles KISS

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On March 3, 2015, Zbydniewski was assigned to the Los Angeles KISS. He started for the KISS during their Week 5 game against the Arizona Rattlers, after starting quarterback Adrian McPherson, was placed on injured reserve. Zbydinewski suffered an upper-body injury in the game's final minutes.[16] He was placed on recallable reassignment on April 28, 2015.

Orlando Predators

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On May 6, 2015, Zbydniewski was assigned to the Orlando Predators.

AFL statistics

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Year Team Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int Rtg Att Yds TD
2010 Spokane 5 12 41.7 119 2 1 82.99 1 -1 0
2011 Tampa Bay 221 357 61.9 2,825 56 15 108.35 10 -1 0
2012 New Orleans 4 13 30.8 65 1 2 28.21 0 0 0
2013 Cleveland 178 311 57.2 2,001 34 14 85.16 14 42 6
2014 Spokane 106 183 57.9 1,251 17 8 83.85 21 9 5
2015 Los Angeles 18 38 47.4 243 6 3 74.78 3 5 0
Career 532 914 58.2 6,504 116 43 92.36 49 54 11

Stats from ArenaFan:[17]

Personal

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Zbydniewski married his college sweetheart Tiffany Campbell in July 2017 in Palm Beach, Florida. Campbell is a professional actress and philanthropist. The couple have a dog named Coconut.[18] Zbydniewski is often known by his nickname "Zeb" acquired from teammates and fans.[19]

Coaching career

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In 2015, Zbydniewski retired as a player and pursued coaching. He is a recruiting assistant, scouting high school students nationwide, and is the founder of Zeb's Field Pass.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "#14 Brian Zbydniewski, QB". www.spokaneshock.com. Spokane Shock. Archived from the original on May 24, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  2. ^ "Belhaven Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022: Brian Zbydniewski". Belhaven University.
  3. ^ "Former Blazer Quarterback Excelling in AFL". blazers.belhaven.edu. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "INDIVIDUAL RECORDS" (PDF). www.blazers.belhaven.edu. Belhaven University. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  5. ^ "2003 ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS". www.mid-southconference.org. Mid-South Conference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  6. ^ "MSC Members of the 2003 NAIA All-American Football Teams". www.mid-southconference.org. Mid-South Conference. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  7. ^ "Mid-South All-Conference Members". www.blazers.belhaven.edu. Belhaven University. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "NAIA Football Championships" (PDF). www.naia.org. NAIA. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Wildcats lose quarterback to injury". www.walb.com. Worldnow. May 23, 2005. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  10. ^ "Archived Document". Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Brandon Rizzuto (December 1, 2011). "VooDoo Add Veteran QB Brian Zbydniewski And OL Mark Thompson". www.aflvoodoo.com. New Orleans VooDoo. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Zbydniewski, Stephens and Windsor Earn Weekly Honors". www.arenafootball.com. Arena Football League. April 13, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  13. ^ Josh Ouellette (May 22, 2014). "Shock Talk: Spokane's New QB Brian Zbydniewski". www.khq.com. WorldNow. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  14. ^ "Brian Zbydniewski". arenafootball.com.
  15. ^ "Shock Acquire Veteran QB Zbydniewski". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  16. ^ Dan Arritt (April 25, 2015). "Rattlers hand KISS its 11th consecutive loss". www.ocregister.com. The Orange County Register. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  17. ^ "Brian Zbydniewski". arenafan.com. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  18. ^ "Palm Beach wedding: Tiffany Campbell and Brian Zbydniewsk".
  19. ^ "Brian Zbydniewski again answers Shock's call".
  20. ^ "Palm Beach wedding: Tiffany Campbell and Brian Zbydniewsk".
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