RoanokeFan
06-12-2012, 12:57 PM
GIANTS' DAVID DIEHL VOWS TO MAKE AMENDS, RESTORE HIS CHARACTER AFTER DUI ARREST (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/06/giants_david_diehl_vows_to_mak.html)
"David Diehl said everything from his <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/06/giants_david_diehl_officially.html">arrest
on Sunday night on charges of driving while intoxicated</a> through today has
been “awful and this is unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced in my
life.”
Yet, the Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants)’ offensive tackle
stood at his locker today and fielded questions for over 8 minutes about the
situation. While he declined to discuss the specifics of the ongoing legal
matter, he talked about apologizing to his teammates for deflecting the
attention from this week’s minicamp and forcing them to answer for him.</p>
Diehl also vowed to make amends for his mistake and correct it as best he can
at this point.</p>
“My teammates, the coaches, the people in this organization know who I am,
they know what I’m all about,” he said. “For 10 years (with the Giants), being
the positive person I am and being the person who’s tried to set a positive
example for everybody, this is the one time in my life I can sincerely have that
regret where people are going to judge me on that. They’re going to question who
I am as a person and a character but the only thing I can do is just like
anything in my life, take this head-on.</p>
“I’m accountable for my actions, I’ve never made an excuse for my life, I’m
going to sit here just like I am now, be a man, face up to things and make sure
I become a stronger person from this and make sure I help other people out.”</p>
Asked how he plans to do that, Diehl said he’ll continue to do the charity
work on which he prides himself while also using his experience as a teaching
point for young men and women.</p>
The mentoring aspect is the positive Tom Coughlin is also trying to take from
the situation.</p>
“David is very remorseful," the Giants' coach said. "He’s a very proud young
man, as you know. He’s very sorry for what happened. He’s been an exemplary
citizen for this organization, I think he understands it completely. He
recognizes and he’s going to be a very, very good spokesperson for trying to
help young people understand his mistake could be avoided in whatever way
possible.</p>
“David will take care of that part of it. He’s a guy we’ve always been able
to count on and he’ll learn from his error.”</p>
Said Diehl, "It doesn’t matter whether you’re an athlete, if you’re anybody
(famous). Nobody is above the law. Nobody is indestructible. And most
importantly, everybody who’s in this situation learns from it."</p>
Diehl received the public support of his agent and a few players on Twitter
the past few days. He got even more in the locker room today.</p>
“People make mistakes,” center David Baas said. “It’s unfortunate, but he’s
the type of guy who will correct it and move on. We have the utmost respect for
him.”</p>
Right guard Chris Snee, Diehl’s teammate since 2004, said his immediate
concern was that Diehl would be okay. He had no doubts Diehl would be able to
handle the fallout.</p>
“When he comes in here, he’ll hold his head high and answer any questions you
have,” Snee said. “That’s just the type of guy he is.”</p>
Diehl did just that a few minutes later, walking confidently into a large
group of reporters and getting right into a three-minute opening statement.</p>
“It’s a mistake that I guarantee will never, ever happen again,” he said.
“I’m going to help other people make sure they don’t make the same decision I
made under the circumstance and I’m going to become a stronger person because of
this.”</p>
Later, he added, “I’ve worked extremely hard throughout my career to be the
guy people look up to, to be the guy that’s a role model. I do more off the
field in the community and for charity than I think anybody in this locker room.
I’m going to make sure people see that side of me that I’ve always been, the
character person I’ve been. The people who are around me the most know
that.”</p>
Though it’s unclear whether he’ll face a suspension, Diehl said he expects to
hear from the league at some point.</p>
“I’m sure they will contact me,” he said. “I’m accountable for my actions,
just like you guys. I’m not running, I’m not hiding, I’m a man, I can stand up
for myself. And I’ll do the same thing I’m doing now.”</p>
* * * *</p>
Folks, this is a delicate dance we in the media have to do when it comes to a
story like this. We don't want to sweep something serious like this under the
rug but we also understand there are 89 other guys in that locker room you want
to hear about. What I mean is I'm sure there's a growing contingent out there
saying, "Enough already."</p>
To those people I'd say hang in there because we aren't forgetting about the
rest of the story lines involving the Giants. Jorge Castillo and I spent every
minute in the open locker room working to get tidbits on all things
football-related, not just those involving Diehl. So stay with us for complete
coverage of this three-day minicamp."</p>
"David Diehl said everything from his <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/06/giants_david_diehl_officially.html">arrest
on Sunday night on charges of driving while intoxicated</a> through today has
been “awful and this is unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced in my
life.”
Yet, the Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants)’ offensive tackle
stood at his locker today and fielded questions for over 8 minutes about the
situation. While he declined to discuss the specifics of the ongoing legal
matter, he talked about apologizing to his teammates for deflecting the
attention from this week’s minicamp and forcing them to answer for him.</p>
Diehl also vowed to make amends for his mistake and correct it as best he can
at this point.</p>
“My teammates, the coaches, the people in this organization know who I am,
they know what I’m all about,” he said. “For 10 years (with the Giants), being
the positive person I am and being the person who’s tried to set a positive
example for everybody, this is the one time in my life I can sincerely have that
regret where people are going to judge me on that. They’re going to question who
I am as a person and a character but the only thing I can do is just like
anything in my life, take this head-on.</p>
“I’m accountable for my actions, I’ve never made an excuse for my life, I’m
going to sit here just like I am now, be a man, face up to things and make sure
I become a stronger person from this and make sure I help other people out.”</p>
Asked how he plans to do that, Diehl said he’ll continue to do the charity
work on which he prides himself while also using his experience as a teaching
point for young men and women.</p>
The mentoring aspect is the positive Tom Coughlin is also trying to take from
the situation.</p>
“David is very remorseful," the Giants' coach said. "He’s a very proud young
man, as you know. He’s very sorry for what happened. He’s been an exemplary
citizen for this organization, I think he understands it completely. He
recognizes and he’s going to be a very, very good spokesperson for trying to
help young people understand his mistake could be avoided in whatever way
possible.</p>
“David will take care of that part of it. He’s a guy we’ve always been able
to count on and he’ll learn from his error.”</p>
Said Diehl, "It doesn’t matter whether you’re an athlete, if you’re anybody
(famous). Nobody is above the law. Nobody is indestructible. And most
importantly, everybody who’s in this situation learns from it."</p>
Diehl received the public support of his agent and a few players on Twitter
the past few days. He got even more in the locker room today.</p>
“People make mistakes,” center David Baas said. “It’s unfortunate, but he’s
the type of guy who will correct it and move on. We have the utmost respect for
him.”</p>
Right guard Chris Snee, Diehl’s teammate since 2004, said his immediate
concern was that Diehl would be okay. He had no doubts Diehl would be able to
handle the fallout.</p>
“When he comes in here, he’ll hold his head high and answer any questions you
have,” Snee said. “That’s just the type of guy he is.”</p>
Diehl did just that a few minutes later, walking confidently into a large
group of reporters and getting right into a three-minute opening statement.</p>
“It’s a mistake that I guarantee will never, ever happen again,” he said.
“I’m going to help other people make sure they don’t make the same decision I
made under the circumstance and I’m going to become a stronger person because of
this.”</p>
Later, he added, “I’ve worked extremely hard throughout my career to be the
guy people look up to, to be the guy that’s a role model. I do more off the
field in the community and for charity than I think anybody in this locker room.
I’m going to make sure people see that side of me that I’ve always been, the
character person I’ve been. The people who are around me the most know
that.”</p>
Though it’s unclear whether he’ll face a suspension, Diehl said he expects to
hear from the league at some point.</p>
“I’m sure they will contact me,” he said. “I’m accountable for my actions,
just like you guys. I’m not running, I’m not hiding, I’m a man, I can stand up
for myself. And I’ll do the same thing I’m doing now.”</p>
* * * *</p>
Folks, this is a delicate dance we in the media have to do when it comes to a
story like this. We don't want to sweep something serious like this under the
rug but we also understand there are 89 other guys in that locker room you want
to hear about. What I mean is I'm sure there's a growing contingent out there
saying, "Enough already."</p>
To those people I'd say hang in there because we aren't forgetting about the
rest of the story lines involving the Giants. Jorge Castillo and I spent every
minute in the open locker room working to get tidbits on all things
football-related, not just those involving Diehl. So stay with us for complete
coverage of this three-day minicamp."</p>