David Viaene
{{Short description|American football player (born 1965)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = David Viaene
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 70, 76
| position = Offensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|7|14}}
| birth_place = Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 300
| high_school = Kaukauna
| college = Wisconsin–Platteville (1983–1984)
Minnesota Duluth (1985–1987)
| draftyear = 1988
| draftround = 8
| draftpick = 214
| pastteams =
- Houston Oilers ({{NFL Year|1988}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|1989|1991}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1992}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|1993}})*
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 21
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 8
| pfr = ViaeDa20
}}
David Viaene (born July 14, 1965) is an American former professional football offensive tackle. He played college football for the Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers and Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and was selected in the eighth round of the 1988 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers. He played for the New England Patriots in 1989 and 1990 and for the Green Bay Packers in 1992. He was also a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Early life
Viaene was born on July 14, 1965, in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he grew up.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/ViaeDa20.htm|title = David Viaene Stats| website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=April 24, 2025 }}{{Cite web|url=https://umdbulldogs.com/honors/umd-athletic-hall-of-fame/dave-viaene/101|publisher=Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs|title=Dave Viaene (2010)|access-date=April 24, 2025}} He had three brothers who played college football and had stints in the NFL: twins Tom and Jim, and Ron.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune/171012383/|newspaper=The Duluth News Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 3, 1987|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune/171012470/ 4B]|title=Stopping 'Dogs is man-sized order|author=Pates, Kevin}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/171012654/|newspaper=The Post-Crescent|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 26, 1987|page=49, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/171012735/ 55]|title=All-Star opportunity|author=Goff, Tom}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://profootballarchives.com/transactions/v/viae00600.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=Ron Viaene NFL Transactions}} He attended Kaukauna High School in Wisconsin, where he was the state wrestling champion, and graduated in 1983.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fvasports.net/page/show/5625620-dave-viaene-kaukauna|publisher=Fox Valley Association|title=Dave Viaene, Kaukauna|access-date=April 24, 2025}} After high school, Viaene began attending the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.
College career
After playing two years at Wisconsin–Platteville, Viaene transferred to University of Minnesota Duluth in 1985, sitting out that season due to NCAA transfer rules.{{Cite web|url=https://profootballarchives.com/players/v/viae00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=David Viaene Stats}} He played for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs football team from 1986 to 1987 and also played one season for the Minnesota Duluth wrestling team. He was a two-way player in football, seeing action at center, defensive tackle, and long snapper.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/171012152/|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 26, 1988|page=41|title=Oilers draft choice sketches|author=McKinley, Lyn}} {{Open access}} He recorded 86 tackles as a junior in 1986 and then posted 57 tackles and a team-leading nine sacks as a senior in 1987. He was named an All-Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) selection for his performance.
Viaene, who stood at {{convert|6|ft|5|in}} and weighed {{convert|285|lb|kg}}, helped the Bulldogs to the conference title in the 1987 season. He was considered the team's strongest player and was able to bench press over {{convert|500|lb|kg}}, while he was also able to run a mile in football equipment faster than some of the team's wide receivers and backs. In addition to his success in football, Viaene also won the 1986 NIC heavyweight wrestling championship and finished second at the NAIA national championships. He compiled a record of 10–1 as a Minnesota Duluth wrestler and was named the school's most outstanding senior male athlete in 1987–88. He was invited to the 1988 East–West Shrine Game and was the only football player invited from a non-NCAA Division I school.
Professional career
Viaene was selected in the eighth round (214th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers.{{Cite web|url=https://profootballarchives.com/drafts/1988nfldraft.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=1988 NFL Draft}} He remains one of only five Minnesota Duluth alumni to be selected in the draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/minnesotaduluth/|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=Minnesota-Duluth Players/Alumni}} He was drafted by the Oilers to play center, but later moved to offensive tackle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/171013691/|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 13, 1988|page=37|title=Starting Lineups}} {{Open access}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 28, 1988 and after spending the entire season there, became a Plan B free agent in February 1989.{{Cite web|url=https://profootballarchives.com/transactions/v/viae00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=David Viaene Transactions}} On March 31, 1989, he signed with the New England Patriots. He made the team and appeared in all 16 games as an offensive tackle, starting four as the Patriots compiled a record of 5–11.{{Cite web|url=https://profootballarchives.com/1989nflne.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=1989 New England Patriots (NFL)}} He returned in 1990 and appeared in four games, each as a starter, before being placed on injured reserve. He missed the entire 1991 season due to injury and then became a free agent in 1992.
Viaene signed with the Green Bay Packers on March 30, 1992. He was released on August 31. After being released, he worked in construction with his father and served as a coach for Kaukauna High School. After an injury to Harvey Salem, the Packers re-signed Viaene in October 1992 as a backup tackle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/171014326/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 22, 1992|page=28|title=Line replacement found in Packers 'backyard'|author=Porter, T. C.}} {{Open access}} He appeared in the team's Week 8 game, a loss to the Chicago Bears, and was released two days later.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/ViaeDa20/gamelog/|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=April 24, 2025|title=David Viaene Career Game Log}} Viaene later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 17, 1993, but was released later that year, ending his professional career.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/indiana-gazette/171014737/|newspaper=Indiana Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 18, 1993|page=15|title=Steelers sign pair of free agents|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}} He finished his NFL career having appeared in 21 games, eight as a starter.
Personal life
Viaene later lived in Hortonville, Wisconsin, and operated a property management business. With his wife, Kelly, Viaene has two daughters and a son. His son, Ben, played college football for the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Houston Oilers 1988 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Viaene, David}}
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Sportspeople from Appleton, Wisconsin
Category:People from Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Category:Players of American football from Wisconsin
Category:Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs football players