Most football fans know the name Howie Long. He was a star player and later a famous TV sports host. But not many people know about the smart, kind woman who stood beside him for years. Her name is Diane Addonizio.
Here’s something that might surprise you. Diane was a trained lawyer with a bright future. But she chose to step away from that career to raise her family. And those kids? They grew up to become football stars too.
So Diane Addonizio is much more than “a famous wife.” She is a lawyer, an author, and a loving mom. Her story is full of hard work, love, and quiet strength.
In this article, we’ll walk through her whole life. We’ll look at her early years, her school days, her law career, how she met Howie, their marriage, their three sons, and her book. Let’s get started.
Who Is Diane Addonizio?
So who is Diane Addonizio, really? In simple words, she is an American woman known for three big things. She is a former lawyer, a published author, and the mother of NFL players.
Most people first hear about her because of her husband, Howie Long. But her own story stands strong on its own. She built her life through education, a real career, and a close family.
People are curious about Diane for a good reason. It’s not every day you meet someone who was a lawyer, a mom to pro athletes, and an author all at once. That mix makes her interesting.
Even with a famous family, Diane stays very private. She doesn’t chase fame or attention. She prefers a quiet life away from cameras. Today, she and Howie live in Albemarle County, Virginia.
Diane Addonizio’s Early Life and Family
Diane Addonizio was born and raised in Red Bank, New Jersey. It’s a small, charming town in Monmouth County. This is where her story began, long before the world knew her name.
She comes from an Italian-American family. You can see those roots in her last name and in her mother’s family name too. Her heritage was a big part of her upbringing.
Some sources say her father was named Frank Addonizio and served in the military during World War II and the Korean War. Her mother’s name is listed as Marie Cecere. Diane also grew up with a sibling, believed to be a brother.
One quick note here. A few of these early-life details come from single sources online. They aren’t fully confirmed. So it’s fair to share them, but also good to know they may not be exact.
Her School and College Years
Diane was a bright student from a young age. For college, she attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania. This is a well-respected school, and it played a big role in her life.
At Villanova, Diane Addonizio studied Classical Studies. This field looks at ancient history, language, and ideas. It may sound old-fashioned, but it taught her to think clearly and speak well.
These skills would help her a lot later on. Strong thinking and clear speaking are perfect tools for a future lawyer. So her college choice set her up nicely for what came next.
But Villanova gave her something else too. It’s the place where she met a tall, driven football player named Howie Long. That meeting would change her whole life. More on that soon.
Diane’s Law Degree and Career
After Villanova, Diane didn’t slow down. She went on to study law at the University of Southern California, also known as USC. There, she earned her law degree, called a Juris Doctor.
This was a big deal. Back then, fewer women were becoming lawyers. So earning a law degree showed just how smart and determined Diane Addonizio really was. She worked hard for it.
After school, she began working as a real attorney. Reports say she practiced law in Los Angeles for a few years. People who knew her described her as careful, sharp, and very professional.
Then life took a turn. When she and Howie started their family, Diane made a big choice. She stepped away from her law career to raise their sons full-time, while Howie played in the NFL.
But here’s a nice detail. Diane never truly left law behind. Her training still helped the family in quiet ways. She reportedly helped manage business deals and contracts behind the scenes. She was the family’s smart legal mind at home.
How Diane Met Howie Long
Now for the sweet part. Diane and Howie Long met in college at Villanova University. They were both young students back then. Neither one knew how big their future would become.
Howie was a sophomore when they crossed paths. Diane later shared some honest and funny thoughts about him. She said he was hard to get to know at first, and pretty moody too.
But she also noticed something else. She said she’d never met anyone that big who was also that good-looking. In a famous 1985 interview with Sports Illustrated, she described him as “a volcano about to erupt, always driven.”
She also joked that everywhere they went, Howie felt like people were staring at him. Their first real date was simple and sporty. He invited her to watch an NFL game on TV. From there, their bond only grew.
Diane and Howie’s Wedding
Diane and Howie were true college sweethearts. Their love started at Villanova and kept growing after school. On June 27, 1982, the couple got married in a ceremony with family and friends.
Their marriage has lasted for over four decades. That’s a rare and beautiful thing, especially in the busy world of pro sports. Through Howie’s NFL career and TV fame, they stayed side by side.
Here’s something worth clearing up. Over the years, a rumor spread that Howie was once married to actress Teri Hatcher. That story is simply not true. Howie has only ever been married to Diane Addonizio.
Fans admire this couple for good reason. They built a strong, steady life together. Their long marriage shows real love, teamwork, and trust. And it became the foundation for their close family.
Meet Their Three Sons
Diane and Howie built more than a marriage. They built a football family. Together, they raised three sons, and each one found his own path in the sport their dad loved.
Their first son is Chris Long, born on March 28, 1985. He became a strong NFL defensive end. He played for the St. Louis Rams, the New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired in 2019 after 11 seasons.
Chris didn’t just play. He won big. He earned two Super Bowl titles and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. That award honors great play and kind work off the field. It fits him well.
Their second son is Kyle Long, born on December 5, 1988. He became an NFL offensive lineman and played for the Chicago Bears. After retiring, Kyle moved into TV as a sports analyst, sharing his game knowledge with fans.
The third son is Howie Long Jr., born around 1990. He took a different road. He didn’t play in the NFL. Instead, he works in the business side of sports. Today he handles premium sales for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here’s a quick fix for a common mix-up. Some websites call Howie Jr. an “NFL player.” That’s not right. He works in the front office and sales, not on the field. It’s a small but important detail to get correct.
Diane as a Devoted Mom
Behind these three successful sons stood one steady person. That was their mom, Diane Addonizio. She chose to be a stay-at-home mother, and she poured her heart into that role every single day.
Her choice made a real difference. While Howie traveled and played football, Diane Addonizio kept the home strong. She guided her boys, supported their dreams, and helped shape them into good men, not just good athletes.
Her sons clearly love her deeply. Over the years, they’ve shared sweet posts about her. Chris once called her the “real MVP” of the household. That says a lot about how much she means to them.
In a 2025 interview with Albemarle Magazine, Chris praised both parents. He said they taught him to treat people with respect and dignity. He also shared that his mom spent time helping kids at the Boys & Girls Club, making them feel seen and valued.
Diane Addonizio, the Author
Diane isn’t only a mom and a lawyer. She’s also a published author. In the year 2000, she released a book with a fun and heartfelt title: He’s Just My Dad! Portraits of Celebrity Athletes and Their Children.
So what is the book about? It takes a close, warm look at famous athletes as fathers. Diane Addonizio interviewed sports stars and their families. The result is funny, sweet, and full of surprises about life at home.
The book is also beautiful to look at. It includes about 200 photographs of athletes and their kids. These pictures were taken at home and behind the scenes by a team of photographers led by Sam Abell.
What inspired her? Diane loved sports, enjoyed photography, and cared deeply about fatherhood. Living inside an NFL family gave her a special view. The book blends her roles as a mom, a lawyer, and a thoughtful watcher of sports life.
Life Away From the Fame
Even with a famous husband and star sons, Diane Addonizio lives quietly. She has always kept a low profile. You won’t see her chasing fame or posting all over the place. She likes her privacy.
Today, she and Howie live in Albemarle County, Virginia. It’s a calm, green area that suits their down-to-earth life. It’s a long way from the loud lights of NFL stadiums, and that seems to be just how they like it.
Some sources say Diane Addonizio made smart business investments over the years. They say she kept the details private. These claims come from single sources, so it’s fair to share them lightly, without treating them as fully proven.
Within NFL circles, Diane is highly respected. Many see her as the quiet backbone of one of football’s most loved families. She proves you don’t need the spotlight to make a huge impact.
Interesting Facts and Quick Details
- She’s from Red Bank, New Jersey, and comes from an Italian-American family.
- She studied Classical Studies at Villanova University.
- She earned her law degree from the University of Southern California.
- She practiced law before becoming a full-time mom.
- She married Howie Long on June 27, 1982.
- She wrote the 2000 book He’s Just My Dad!
- She’s the mom of Chris, Kyle, and Howie Long Jr.
- The rumor that Howie married Teri Hatcher is false.
Bottom Line
Diane Addonizio is proof that quiet strength can leave a big mark. She’s smart, hardworking, and deeply devoted to her family. And she built a life full of meaning, both in and out of the spotlight.
She trained as a lawyer, wrote a lovely book, and raised three good men. She stood beside Howie Long for over 40 years. Through it all, she stayed humble, private, and true to herself.
So yes, she’s known as Howie Long’s wife. But Diane Addonizio is so much more than that. She’s the heart of her family, and a wonderful story all on her own.
(FAQs)
Is Diane Addonizio a lawyer?
Yes, she trained as a lawyer. She earned her law degree from USC and practiced for a few years. She later stepped away from law to raise her family.
How did Diane meet Howie Long?
They met in college at Villanova University. Howie was a sophomore at the time. They dated, fell in love, and married in June 1982.
How many kids do Diane and Howie have?
They have three sons: Chris Long, Kyle Long, and Howie Long Jr. Chris and Kyle played in the NFL, while Howie Jr. works in sports business.
Did Diane Addonizio write a book?
Yes. In 2000, she published He’s Just My Dad!, a warm book about famous athletes and their children, filled with about 200 photographs.
Where does Diane Addonizio live now?
She and Howie Long live in Albemarle County, Virginia, where they enjoy a quiet and private life away from the spotlight.
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