GIANTS' DIEHL STEPS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
By PAUL SCHWARTZ
Take my left guard . . . please.
David Diehl said his upcoming challenge is not stand-up comedy but it will be "outside my comfort zone" when he makes his stage debut after six years in the trenches as the Giants' sturdiest offensive lineman.
Diehl will be a "sketch actor" at 10 tonight in "12 Angry Mascots," a sports-themed comedy show at Comix Comedy Club, at 353 W. 14th St. The Knicks' Nate Robinson will help host the event.
"It's something out of the norm, something you're not used to," Diehl told The Post yesterday. "I'm not scared in front of people, I'm not worried about talking or anything like that, I just want to make sure I'm on my 'A' game because I don't want to get booed up there."
When approached about this opportunity, Diehl immediately called his agent, Peter Schaffer. "He said, 'What do I do?' I said, 'Go be funny,' " Schaffer said. "I just hope someone tapes this."
Diehl has received a rough script, but most of the action will be improvised.
"A lot of it is just off-the-cuff, what you think of, being witty, going along with punch lines and things like that," he said.
Diehl will be involved in two and possibly three sketches. Eat your heart out, Eli Manning. One role Diehl plays is of an NFL quarterback. "How about that?" Diehl said with a chuckle.
Several Giants teammates are expected to attend and Diehl is sure mixed in with the support will be some heckling. Part of the proceeds will go to Diehl's foundation, Project Sunshine, which raises money for families to pay for pediatric hospital visits and bills.
"I like going to comedy shows, I always watch 'em on TV," Diehl said. "The opportunity arose, I'll try it. Why not? I'm not sitting here looking to become a stand-up comedian or anything like that, but it's a fun opportunity. I'm going to enjoy myself, have a good time playing a role and more importantly money from the door and the event will go towards my charity, Project Sunshine, so it's a win-win."
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