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John Diehl (American football)

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John Diehl
No. 78, 73
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1936-01-27)January 27, 1936
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died:December 28, 2012(2012-12-28) (aged 76)
Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Frankford (PA)
College:Virginia
NFL draft:1958 / round: 7 / pick: 82
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:53
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Albright Diehl (January 27, 1936 – December 28, 2012) was an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Virginia.

Early life

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Diehl attended Frankford High School. After graduation he enrolled at Bullis School for a year. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Virginia. He struggled during his college career, being injured as a sophomore and was out of school for scholastic reasons as a junior. He started at defensive tackle as a senior.

Professional career

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Diehl was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the seventh round (82nd overall) of the 1958 NFL draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over.[1] His rookie season came until 1961, where he made his professional debut at defensive tackle in the twelfth game against the San Francisco 49ers, replacing an injured Joe Lewis.[2] He was a backup at right defensive tackle behind Billy Ray Smith Sr. and Fred Miller. He was released on September 14, 1965.[3]

On September 15, 1965, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys.[4] He was released on September 24, to make room to activate Pete Gent from the taxi squad.[5]

In 1965, he was signed by the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League.[6] In 1966, he was lost for the year with an injury.[7]

Personal life

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Diehl was a player-coach for the Harrisburg Colts in the semi-professional Atlantic Coast Football League. After football, he owned and operated various moving businesses in Virginia.

References

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  1. ^ "Virginia Football: Cavs in the NFL Draft". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "Baltimore". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Cowboys Get Tackle". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  5. ^ "Dallas Cowboys Cut John Diehl". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "100 Days of 100 Jersey Numbers - 73". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  7. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
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