Dan Dierdorf was born in Canton, Ohio, on June 29, 1949. He attended Glenwood High School. At Michigan, he played football from 1968 to 1970. He earned consensus All-American honors in 1970. Dierdorf was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. He played 13 seasons in the NFL as an offensive tackle. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro. He won the NFL Players Association Offensive Lineman of the Year award three times. He was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. In 1996, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
After retiring, Dierdorf began a long career in broadcasting. He worked for CBS and ABC, including 12 seasons on Monday Night Football. He later returned to CBS to broadcast NFL games until 2013. From 2014 to 2021, he was the color analyst for Michigan Wolverines football radio broadcasts. In 2008, he received the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.
Dierdorf grew up near the future site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Canton roots stayed with him throughout his life. His early exposure to football history helped shape his career. Canton remains closely tied to his legacy.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Dan Dierdorf with the 43rd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 1971 NFL Draft.
Dan Dierdorf played 13 seasons and was selected to six Pro Bowls throughout his Hall of Fame career as an offensive tackle.
