David Diehl « All Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc.

David Diehl – New York Giants, Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’5”
Weight: 319 lbs.
College: Illinois
Hometown: Chicago, IL

AP NFL All-Pro Second Team in 2008
Pro Bowl Selection in 2009
Super Bowl XLII Champion

The Beginning

David Diehl was born in Chicago, IL to Jerry and Darlene Diehl. He attended Brother Rice High School in Chicago, where he earned nine varsity letters—four in football, three in track and two in wrestling. He attended the University of Illinois, where he was named second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior in 2002. He also was the recipient of the Wright Commitment to Excellence Award which is presented to the Illinois player who has dedicated himself to academic excellence despite obstacles faced during his collegiate career. During his time playing for Illinois, he started every game at left offensive guard, racking up 91 knockdowns. Diehl graduated from Illinois in December of 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications. He received his Masters Degree in Human Resource Education in 2008. Diehl’s brothers were also celebrated athletes. Jerry was an All-Iowa Conference offensive guard and Jeff was a 2-year letterman in basketball at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

The NFL

Diehl went into the NFL Draft in 2003 and was drafted in the 5th round, 160th overall by the New York Giants. He became the first Giants rookie since Mark Bavaro in 1985 to start every game as a rookie and has not missed a game since. He started in all 112 games in his first 7 years, alternating between four different positions on the offensive line. Diehl found his niche as a left tackle in 2007, protecting Eli Manning’s blind side as the Giants’ offensive line dominated four playoff games culminating in a 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The Giants rewarded Diehl’s outstanding performance by signing him to a new contract, reportedly worth as much as $31 million over six years.

Off the Field
Diehl is very active off the football field, participating regularly in charity events in New Jersey. Diehl is a regular attendee at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing and “Meet the Giants” Ronald McDonald House Dinner fundraiser at the Park Avenue Country Club. He also attended the Irvington (New York) Youth Football Dinner to congratulate kids on a well-played season. Diehl also attended the NYC Police Athletic League’s “Sports Night” 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 Tomorrow Children’s Fund Institute, located in the Don Imus – WFAN Pediatric Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. He is also a part of the Project Sunshine charity, a non profit organization that provides free educational, recreational, and social programs to children and families living with medical challenges.

Diehl was raised in Croatian spirit; he wanted to represent his Croation decent through a tattoo of the Croatian coat-of-arms on his left arm. While he lived in Chicago, he was a regular visitor of local Croatian churches and cultural centers. Strong bonds with American Croats have been proved when he continued with that habit even after he moved to New Jersey, where local Croatian communities often have him as a visitor.

Diehl currently lives in Totowa, New Jersey with his wife Nicole and their beautiful 3-year old daughter, Addison Elizabeth. He was just featured in a new book produced by the NFLPA and A Call to Men called “NFL Dads Dedicated to Daughters”. The book tells what it means to be a father of a daughter and what it takes to stop violence against women.

For additional information about David Diehl, please visit www.davediehl66.com.