Ryan Diem

The Northern Illinois Husky who anchored the Colts' line for eleven seasons and won Super Bowl XLI.

Ryan Edwin Diem is an American former professional football player who dedicated his entire 11-year career to the Indianapolis Colts as an offensive lineman. Born on July 1, 1979, in Roselle, Illinois, he played college football for the Northern Illinois Huskies before being selected by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft. Diem played for the franchise from 2001 to 2011, starting 150 of his 158 games at offensive tackle and guard. A key figure in the team's history, he was part of the Super Bowl XLI championship squad that defeated the Chicago Bears before retiring on March 23, 2012.

Quick Facts

Position: Offensive tackle
Born: 1 July 1979
Birthplace: Roselle, Illinois, U.S.
High school: Glenbard North (Carol Stream, Illinois)
College: Northern Illinois (1997–2000)
Draft year: 2001
Draft round: 4
Draft pick: 118

Lore & Background

Diem's journey began in Carol Stream, Illinois, where he graduated from Glenbard North High School in 1997. While a defensive lineman on the high school gridiron, he also excelled on the track team, setting state records in both indoor and outdoor shot put as a senior and earning all-state honors. He carried this dual-sport success to Northern Illinois University, playing for the Huskies from 1997 to 2000 while majoring in mechanical engineering. His collegiate progression was steady: starting seven games at right tackle as a freshman in 1997, earning second-team All-MAC honors in 1998, and securing first-team All-MAC honors in both 1999 and 2000. Academically, he received Honorable Mention Academic All-MAC recognition in 1998 and full Academic All-MAC honors in 1999.

Reader's Guide

He married Julie Constein, also from Carol Stream, in 2003; the couple resides in Zionsville, Indiana, with their three children. His business ventures include co-ownership of Modern Muscle, Inc., located in Oswego, Illinois, a company specializing in performance automotive applications and restorations. Additionally, Diem serves on the board of directors for ClearObject (formerly CloudOne), an Internet of Things solutions provider based in Fishers, Indiana.