Writing Illini
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Top 10 NFL careers by an Illinois football player

By Rees Woodcock

Sept. 11, 2005; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end #97 Simeon Rice is all smiles after his team scores late in the fourth quarter to insure their win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Tampa Bay wins 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Bruce Kluckhohn
Sept. 11, 2005; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end #97 Simeon Rice is all smiles after his team scores late in the fourth quarter to insure their win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Tampa Bay wins 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Bruce Kluckhohn /
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Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants left tackle David Diehl (66) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants left tackle David Diehl (66) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8 David Diehl

Back-to-back offensive linemen on the top 10 NFL careers by an Illinois football player? Yes, that is correct. David Diehl checks in at No. 8 on this list.

A lot of the players on this list came out of the state of Illinois. Diehl decided on the Illini as he was emerging as a star from Brother Rice High School in Chicago. He would pick Illinois and would help us to some big years including a trip to the Sugar Bowl in 2001.

After his time in Champaign, Diehl would head to the professional ranks. He was selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Diehl was a mainstay on the Giants’ first string depth chart for years. He spent 11 seasons with New York and would make the 2009 Pro Bowl. Diehl would also help the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, one in 2007 and the other in 2011. They were both over the New England Patriots.

The long career of Diehl proved to be fruitful with his Pro Bowl appearance and multiple rings. He didn’t put up flashy numbers, but he was a rock for a successful run for the Giants. His longevity – started in 160 out of 164 games – just adds to the fact Diehl was one of the best to do it.

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