Dan Dierdorf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dan Dierdorf | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 29, 1949 (age 57) |
| Place of birth | |
| Position(s) | Offensive Tackle |
| College | Michigan |
| NFL Draft | 1971 / Round 2/ Pick 43 |
| Career Highlights | |
| Pro Bowls | 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980 |
| Honors | NFL 1970s All-Decade Team |
| Stats | |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1971-1983 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| College Hall of Fame | |
| Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1996 | |
Daniel Lee Dierdorf (b. June 29, 1949 in Canton, Ohio) is a former American football player and current television sportscaster. He played 13 NFL seasons and has worked for ABC's Monday Night Football and CBS as a color commentator since his retirement.
Born in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the NFL, Dierdorf played football at Glenwood High School in Canton then the University of Michigan before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1971 NFL Draft. At Michigan, Dierdorf was consensus All-American in 1970 and assisted the team to a 25-6 record in his 3 years as a starter. In 2000, Dierdorf was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Dierdorf began his career as both a guard and a tackle before settling in as a starter at right tackle in 1973. Dierdorf was named to the Pro Bowl 6 times from 1974-'78 & 1980. Dierdorf was named All-Pro for 3 consecutive seasons 1976-'78 and 2nd Team All-Pro from 1974-'75 & 1980. He was named lineman of the year by his peers three times. In 1996 he received the ultimate honor when he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After his retirement, Dierdorf transitioned to the broadcast booth. He called Cardinals games on radio for KMOX in 1984 before moving to CBS television for two seasons.
In 1987, he was added to the Monday Night Football team. He was named as ABC's blow-by-blow boxing commentator in 1989, beginning with Meldrick Taylor's first defense of his championship. Dierdorf stayed at ABC for twelve seasons before a shake up after the 1998 season in which Dierdorf was deemed not worth his salary. He was immediately rehired by CBS to broadcast games for the network. As of 2006, Dierdorf is a color commentator with play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel. The 2006 season marked Dierdorf's first season with Gumbel on CBS after working in 1999 with Verne Lundquist and from 2000-2005 with Dick Enberg.
Dierdorf continues to live in St. Louis and has his own star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. He is the co-proprietor, along with former Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart of Dierdorf and Hart's, a St. Louis steakhouse. Dan Dierdorf also is one of the investors of KTRS radio in St. Louis.
Dierdorf is mentioned in George Carlin's Back in Town album. In his discussion on capital punishment, Carlin proposes crucifixions during halftime of Monday Night Football and then asks, "Wouldn't you like to hear Dan Dierdorf explain why the nails have to go in at a certain angle?"
Dierdorf is mentioned in the song "Chain Hang Low (Remix). Rapper Lil' Wayne says "my diamonds big like Dan Dierdorf"
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
| National Football League | NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team |
|---|
|
Terry Bradshaw | Ken Stabler | Roger Staubach | Earl Campbell | Franco Harris | Walter Payton | O.J. Simpson | Harold Carmichael | |
Categories: Michigan Wolverines football players | German-Americans | St. Louis Cardinals (football) players | American football offensive linemen | People from Canton, Ohio | Pro Football Hall of Fame | NFL 1970s All-Decade Team | American sports announcers | 1949 births | Living people | Boxing commentators | University of Michigan alumni | National Football League announcers