Illini Legends, Lists & Lore

David Diehl: By the Numbers

David Diehl seeks his second championship ring today when he and his New York Giants teammates take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. The former Illini lineman (1999-2002) is one of the toughest and most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL. Diehl has not forgotten his alma mater as he and his wife, Nicole, donated the largest strength and conditioning center for college football players in the country to the UI. Here's a snapshot of Diehl's football career with the Illini and the Giants:

9 — Number of varsity letters he earned as a prep at Oak Lawn's Brother Rice High School, including four in football, two in wrestling and three in track

32 — He celebrated his 32nd birthday on Sept. 15

64 — Diehl's jersey number at Illinois

66 — The number he wears for the Giants

78 — Regular season victories by the Giants during Diehl's career (against 66 losses)

120 — Consecutive games he started before sitting out a Nov. 14, 2010 game vs. Dallas

2007 — Season the Giants ended the regular season 10-6, leading to their 2008 Super Bowl victory

2008 — The season Diehl was selected to the All-NFC team by the Pro Football Writers Association and the year he received his master's degree in human resources from the UI

5,356 — Number of offensive yards Illinois generated during Diehl's senior year

88,000 — Diehl's bonus share in dollars if the Giants win the Super Bowl. If New England wins, Diehl will receive a $44,000 bonus.

4,000,000 — Dollars he earned during the 2011 season

Illini Birthdays

Sunday: Kris Jenner, football (50)

Monday: Dan Gregus, football (51)

Tuesday: Tricia Taliaferro, soccer coach (39)

Wednesday: Brian Randle, basketball (27)

Thursday: Marni Tobin, swimming (40)

Friday: John Levanti, football (60)

Saturday: D.J. Richardson, basketball (21)

By Mike Pearson, Author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore, Assistant Athletic Director at Miami (Ohio) University

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