David Diehl

David Diehl (pronounced /DEAL/) (born September 15, 1980 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football player with Croatian and German background. He is an offensive lineman in the National Football League. Diehl is currently a starter on the offensive line for the New York Giants, and is one of only two offensive lineman to enter the NFL in 2003 and start all 48 regular season games through the end of the 2005 season.

High School Years

Diehl is a graduate of Brother Rice High School in Chicago.

College

Second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior in 2002. Recipient of the Wright Commitment to Excellence Award, presented to the Illinois player who has dedicated himself to academic excellence despite obstacles faced during his collegiate career. Started every game at left offensive guard, registering 91 knockdowns for an offense that featured its first 1,000-yard rusher (Antoineo Harris) and 1,000-yard receiver (Brandon Lloyd) in the same season since 1984. Helped offense total 5,356 yards. In 2001, saw action at both guard and tackle. Registered 56 knockdowns as he participated in 385 plays for an offense that gained 5,041 yards as the line allowed only 16 quarterback sacks (second in the Big Ten). In 2000, was valuable reserve, seeing action in every game at right guard. Made 15 knockdowns as he participated in 43 plays. In 1999: Played in 6 games on the field goal and extra point protection units. Redshirted as a freshman in 1998.

Pro Career

Diehl was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, and was the 160th overall selection. Despite being drafted in one of the lower rounds, Diehl became an immediate starter. Diehl has shown versatility by playing multiple positions on the offensive line. In his rookie season, Diehl started all 16 games at right guard, becoming the first Giants rookie to do so since Mark Bavaro in 1985. He was one of 14 NFL rookies to start all 16 games in 2003, was 1 of only 3 offensive line on the roster to see action in all 16 games, was 1 of only 2 to start every game during the year and was the only to start at the same position each game during the 2003 season The same happen at right tackle in 2004. In 2005, Diehl played yet another position, started 15 regular season games at left guard and 1 game (vs. Kansas City 12/17) at right tackle. Also started the NFC Wild Card Game at left guard. Offensive line provided enough run blocking for Tiki Barber to rush for a franchise-record 1,860 yards. Pass blocking enabled Eli Manning to pass for a 3,762 yards, the 5th-highest total in franchise history. Introduces himself on Sunday Night Football as "David Diehl, University of Chief Illiniwek", a reference to the beloved icon of the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. Chief Illiniwek was retired at the end of the men's basketball regualr season in 2007 after the NCAA ruled UIUC would not be able to host postseason events if it continued to allow Chief Illiniwek to perform during sporting events.

Personal

Engaged to Nicole Tabeling. The couple married on February 18, 2006. Diehl is a regular attendee of the Giants Foundation Golf Outing and “Meet the Giants” Ronald McDonald House Dinner fundraiser at the Park Avenue Country Club. Attended the Irvington (N.Y.) Youth Football Dinner to congratulate kids on a well-played season. Also attended the NYC Police Athletic League’s “Sports Nite” banquet and the United Way of New York City’s 2005 Gridiron Gala… As a rookie, Diehl celebrated Halloween by delivering candy and painted pumpkins to children undergoing cancer treatment at Tomorrows Children's Fund Institute, located in the Don Imus-WFAN Pediatric Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Served as a professor in the Giants Football 201 program for women. Attended a father-son breakfast at Iona Grammar School. Participated in the Giants Player Development High School Coaching Internship at Bergen Catholic High School (Oradell, N.J.). Played offensive tackle, offensive guard, defensive tackle and nose tackle at Brother Rice (Chicago, Ill.) High. Earned All-Conference honors, named All-Region and All-Big Ten by the National Recruiting Advisor. Earned 9 varsity letters in high school, including 4 in football, 2 in wrestling and 3 in track. Served as Eucharistic Minister in the Peer Ministry at Brother Rice. Graduated in December, 2001, with a bachelors degree in Speech Communications, then enrolled in the master’s program in Human Resource Education…Brother, Jerry, was an All-Iowa Conference offensive guard and brother, Jeff, was a 2-year letterman in basketball at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Son of Jerry and Darlene Diehl

External links

• [1] Bio at Giants team site