Another member of the Colts’ tremendous run over the last decade won’t be back in Indianapolis.
Unlike some other departing Colts, Ryan Diem won’t be playing anywhere else either. The longtime right tackle announced on Friday that he has decided to call it quits after 11 NFL season. The announcement came via Diem’s Twitter account and Colts owner Jim Irsay also took to social media to say farewell to one of Peyton Manning’s longest-tenured protectors.
“ColtFans,met with Ryan D,big#71 in ur hearts n program,yesterday;he is going 2 retire,raise those new twins,we wish him happy alumnus status”
Diem, who was an unrestricted free agent, started 150 of 157 games for the Colts at right tackle after the team made him a fourth-round draft pick in 2001. Over that time, Diem started 14 playoff games for the Colts and won a Super Bowl ring. He never made the Pro Bowl, although his play in several seasons was good enough to merit inclusion on the team.
With Diem officially gone, the Colts may have as many as seven new offensive starters next season. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne is the only one of them who was with the team when they won the Super Bowl in 2007.