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Giants' David Diehl Apologizes for Alleged Queens Drunk-Driving Crash

New York Giants offensive tackle David Diehl (center) was arrested in Astoria on Sun., June 10, 2012, for driving while intoxicated, police said. He was reportedly watching soccer at a bar just before the arrest.
New York Giants offensive tackle David Diehl (center) was arrested in Astoria on Sun., June 10, 2012, for driving while intoxicated, police said. He was reportedly watching soccer at a bar just before the arrest.
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QUEENS — Beleaguered New York Giants lineman David Diehl apologized a day after being arrested for an alleged booze-fueled jaunt in his BMW that ended with him plowing into two parked cars in Astoria Sunday.

Diehl, 31, had been drinking at a bar while cheering on the Croatian national soccer team to victory Sunday afternoon before he crashed his luxury car on 35th Street, near 31st Avenue, authorities said.

“I've worked hard during my career to set a positive example, and yesterday I fell far short of this standard,” Diehl tweeted just hours after his arraignment at Queens Criminal Court on DWI charges.

“I apologize to my family, my fans, my teammates, the New York Giants, and the NFL,” he continued.  “I made a poor decision that I sincerely regret, and, as always, take full responsibility for my actions.”

The Giants also released a statement regarding Diehl’s arrest, calling him an “outstanding” member of Big Blue for a decade.

“Obviously we are aware of the situation, although we have not yet had a chance to discuss it with David,” read the statement, posted on the Giants’ website Monday night.

“Since it is an ongoing legal matter, we will refrain from comment at this time, although we will say that David has been an outstanding representative of this organization for the past 10 years, and nobody knows more than David does what is expected of our players both on and off the field.”

Diehl had his driving privileges in New York stripped Monday at his arraignment, where he appeared sporting the same red-and-white checkered Croatia jersey he had been photographed in with fans the day before.

The 304-pound lineman — who registered a .182 blood-alcohol content on a Breathalyzer test, more than double the legal limit — told police after the crash that another vehicle had been pulling out at the time of the smashup, prosecutors said.

Cops said Diehl reeked of booze, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, and was wobbly on his feet after the accident, court documents show.

He is scheduled to return to court on July 26, the same day Giants players report to camp upstate.

Diehl faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

It was not immediately clear whether he would face any disciplinary action from the NFL.

Diehl’s teammates jumped to his defense on Twitter, lending their support to the veteran player.

“Everyone has made a mistake,” tweeted Big Blue punter Steve Weatherford on Monday. “Dave Diehl has been a Giant for 10 years, and been role model longer than that. He has my full support.”

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck also tweeted words of encouragement to his fellow lineman.

“keep ur head Double D,” he wrote Monday. “We ALL make mistakes.”