Diane Addonizio is an American former attorney and author best known as the wife of former NFL defensive end and television analyst Howie Long. Although she has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, her own background includes university studies, legal training, professional experience, and a published book.
Her connection to Howie Long began while they were students at Villanova University, years before he became a Pro Football Hall of Famer. They married in 1982 and raised three sons: Christopher, Kyle, and Howard Jr., all of whom developed connections to professional football.
Diane’s story extends beyond her marriage. She earned a degree in Classical Studies, pursued a law career, and later wrote about the relationship between athletes and their children.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diane Addonizio |
| Also Known As | Diane Long |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Wife of Howie Long |
| Education | Villanova University |
| Undergraduate Degree | Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies |
| Law School | USC Gould School of Law |
| Legal Career | Former attorney |
| Profession | Former attorney and author |
| Husband | Howie Long |
| Marriage Year | 1982 |
| Children | Christopher Long, Kyle Long, and Howard Long Jr. |
| Published Book | He’s Just My Dad! |
| Net Worth | No reliable public estimate available |
Early Life and Background
Diane Addonizio has maintained a relatively private life, and reliable public information about her childhood and early family background is limited. Her academic record and later professional activities, however, provide a clearer picture of her background.
She attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where she studied Classical Studies. Her time at the university was significant not only for her education but also because she met Howie Long, who was developing his football career there.
Diane pursued a professional path outside sports and entertainment. While Howie went on to become one of the NFL’s best-known defensive players, she continued her education and prepared for a career in law.
Education and Legal Career
Diane graduated from Villanova University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Studies. She later attended the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor degree in 1986.
She was admitted to the California Bar in 1987 and worked as an attorney. Howie Long later explained in his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech that Diane left a career as a corporate litigator after the birth of their third son so he could continue pursuing his professional football career.
Her legal background is an important part of her biography because it demonstrates that she had established professional qualifications independent of her husband’s sporting achievements.
Diane Addonizio as an Author
Diane also has a published book to her name. In 2000, she authored He’s Just My Dad!: Portraits of Celebrity Athletes and Their Children, published under the name Diane Long.
The book focuses on athletes in their role as fathers, bringing together sports, family relationships, and portraits of well-known sporting figures with their children. Its subject reflects Diane’s proximity to professional sports while examining a more personal side of athletes’ lives.
The publication is a notable part of her professional history, distinct from her husband’s playing career and television work.
Marriage to Howie Long
Diane Addonizio and Howie Long met while attending Villanova University. Their relationship began before Long’s rise to national prominence in professional football, and they married in June 1982.
Long played his entire NFL career with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders. He became known for his strength and versatility as a defensive lineman, helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
After retiring from playing, he established a second career as a football analyst, becoming a familiar face on FOX NFL Sunday.
Diane’s life alongside Long has spanned his professional playing years, retirement, broadcasting career, and Hall of Fame recognition. In his 2000 enshrinement speech, Long publicly acknowledged her support and the sacrifices she made for their family.
Diane Addonizio’s Children
Diane and Howie Long have three sons, each of whom has developed a connection to football.
Christopher Long
Christopher Long, commonly known as Chris Long, followed his father into professional football. He played defensive end in the NFL for teams including the St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. During his career, he won two Super Bowl championships.
After retiring from professional football, Chris became involved in charitable work and media projects.
Kyle Long
Kyle Long also pursued a career in the NFL. He played offensive guard for the Chicago Bears and later spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs. His career gave the Long family another direct connection to professional football, although he played a different position from his father and older brother.
Howard Long Jr.
Howard Long Jr., often known as Howie Long Jr., chose a career on the business side of football rather than as a professional player. He has been associated with the Las Vegas Raiders organization, working in football operations and business-related activities.
Together, the three sons illustrate how the Long family’s connection to football extends beyond Howie Long’s playing career.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy
Diane has also been associated with community-focused work. Public profiles have identified her involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, an organization that supports young people through educational, recreational, and developmental programs.
Her community work has received less attention than her family’s sporting achievements, consistent with her relatively low public profile. It nevertheless adds another dimension to her life beyond law, writing, and family.
Diane Addonizio’s Net Worth
Diane Addonizio’s personal net worth has not been reliably established through credible public financial disclosures or independently verified estimates.
Her legal career, published book, and family connection to professional football are documented, but they do not provide enough information to calculate her personal wealth. Estimates circulating online should therefore be treated cautiously rather than presented as established facts.
Interesting Facts About Diane Addonizio
- She studied Classical Studies: Diane earned her undergraduate degree from Villanova University in 1982.
- She trained as a lawyer: She earned a Juris Doctor from USC Gould School of Law in 1986 and was admitted to the California Bar in 1987.
- She met Howie Long at university: Their relationship began before his NFL career made him a nationally recognized athlete.
- She married Howie in 1982: Their marriage began as he was entering the early years of his professional football career.
- She is an author: Her 2000 book, He’s Just My Dad!, explores athletes’ relationships with their children.
- Her sons have football connections: Chris and Kyle played in the NFL, while Howie Jr. pursued work associated with the Raiders organization.
- She has maintained a private public profile: Much of the information about her comes from university records, her published work, and public references by her husband.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diane Addonizio
1. Who is Diane Addonizio?
Diane Addonizio is an American former attorney and author best known as the wife of former NFL star and sports analyst Howie Long.
2. How old is Diane Addonizio?
Her exact date of birth is not consistently established by authoritative public sources. For that reason, a precise age should not be stated as confirmed.
3. When did Diane Addonizio marry Howie Long?
Diane Addonizio and Howie Long married in June 1982 after meeting at Villanova University.
4. What did Diane Addonizio study?
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Villanova University in 1982 and later received a Juris Doctor from USC Gould School of Law in 1986.
5. Did Diane Addonizio work as a lawyer?
Yes. She was admitted to the California Bar in 1987 and worked as an attorney, including in corporate litigation, before leaving the profession after the birth of her third son.
6. How many children does Diane Addonizio have?
She and Howie Long have three sons: Christopher Long, Kyle Long, and Howard Long Jr.
7. What book did Diane Addonizio write?
She authored He’s Just My Dad!: Portraits of Celebrity Athletes and Their Children, published in 2000 under the name Diane Long.
Conclusion
Diane Addonizio’s biography includes an academic background, legal training, authorship, community involvement, and a long marriage to Howie Long. While her family is closely associated with professional football, her own education and work form an important part of her story.
Her published book and legal career provide a more complete picture than the familiar description of her as a football legend’s wife.
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