A three-year letterman at running back for Yale under College Football Hall of Fame head coach Carm Cozza, Rich Diana helped the Bulldogs to a 25-4 record and three consecutive Ivy League titles. A First Team All-American and two-time First Team All-Ivy League selection, he led the Ivy League in rush attempts, rushing yards, plays from scrimmage and yards from scrimmage in both 1980 and 1981. In 1981, Diana ranked in the top-10 nationally in rush attempts (293), rushing yards (1,442), rushing touchdowns (14), plays from scrimmage (308), yards from scrimmage (1,589) and touchdowns from scrimmage (15).
He holds school records for rush attempts in a game (46), all-purpose plays in a game (48), all-purpose plays in a season (334) and all-purpose yards in a season (1,870). Diana ranks second in school history in single-season rushing yards (1,442), third in career all-purpose yards (3,783), fourth in career attempts (534), fifth in single-season rushing touchdowns (14), sixth in single-game rushing yards (222) and career rushing yards (2,576), ninth in career rushing touchdowns (19) and 10th in single-season rushing attempts (229). He finished his Bulldog career with 534 carries for 2,576 yards and 14 touchdowns along with 34 catches for 426 yards and four touchdowns.
Compiling a 3.42 GPA in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, Diana was a First Team Academic All-American and served as an undergraduate consultant to admissions for the Yale Admissions Brochure. He is the only orthopedic surgeon to be a First Team All-America and First Team Academic All-America honoree.
He was selected in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, appearing in Super Bowl XVII during his one season with the team. Diana is also the only orthopedic surgeon to appear in a Super Bowl.
He retired from the NFL to attend the Yale School of Medicine where he graduated in 1987. Diana completed his orthopedic residency training at Yale New Haven Hospital and his fellowship in orthopedic sports at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. After completing his fellowship, he worked with The Boston Red Sox for six years as an orthopedic consultant.
Diana has been in practice with Connecticut Orthopedic Specialists since 1993 and one of the managing partners since 1995. He also serves as a clinical instructor and attending surgeon at Yale-New Haven Hospital and an attending surgeon at The Hospital of Saint Raphael. Diana has written articles in medical and sports related books and journals and is the author of the book, “The Joint-Healthy Lifestyle.” He is an inductee of the Hamden High School (Conn.) Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Halls of Fame and The New Haven Gridiron Club Hall of Fame. Since 2006, Diana has been named to Dr. Stephen Sinatra’s esteemed Top 100 Doctors in America.
Diana has been honored for substantial community service as a Distinguished American by The New Haven Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Chamber Choice Award recipient by The Chamber of Commerce, Paul Harris Award honoree by The Rotary foundation of Rotary International, Distinguished Service Award recipient by The Unitas Club, Gold Key Award recipient by Connecticut Sports Writers, Unsung Hero Award recipient by The All American Football Foundation, Gold Bat Award recipient by W.H. Twilight, National Scholar Athlete Alumni Association Platinum Member and Elm City Legends Award recipient by The March of Dimes.
