Brian Zbydniewski
Brian David Zbydniewski, Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the Arena Football League and af2 from 2005 to 2015. 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.
Early life
Zbydniewski was born on September 15, 1981, 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 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
Zbydniewski graduated from Belhaven University with a degree in Business Administration, and was a starting quarterback for the Belhaven Blazers football team.Zbydniewski set or tied single-game, season, and career records during his years with the Blazers at Belhaven. 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, Second-Team All American and was nominated alongside Eli Manning and Rod Davis for the Conerly Trophy Award in 2003 after completing 311 passes for 3,888 yards.
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
af2 (2005–2009)
Zbydniewski began his professional career with the South Georgia Wildcats of the af2. 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.Arena Football League (2010–2015)
Spokane Shock (2010)
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.Tampa Bay Storm (2011)
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 (2012)
Saw action in four games for the New Orleans VooDoo, |url completing 4-of-13 passes for 65 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.Cleveland Gladiators (2013–2014)
In 2013, Zbydniewski completed 178-of-310 passes for 2,001 yards and 34 touchdowns in nine games with the Cleveland Gladiators. 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.