Stefon Diggs Confronts Super Bowl Spotlight Amid Mounting Legal Challenges
Shortly after 5pm on Monday, Stefon Diggs stepped onto a press conference podium in San Jose, California, to begin the first of several hours of intense cross-examination ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. The New England Patriots receiver, one of the few genuine superstars in this season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, was dressed in a team-issue tracksuit that covered most of the scars accumulated over his eleven-year NFL career. Most of his tattoos remained hidden too, though some ink crawled above his neckline and slithered beyond his sleeves. One particularly visible tattoo on his right hand read simply: ‘Patience’.
A Long-Awaited Moment Overshadowed by Legal Proceedings
This week represents a potentially career-defining moment for the 32-year-old athlete, who described the Super Bowl as "something that I waited for my whole life for." Over the coming days, Diggs sat through question after question about his lengthy career, his high-profile relationship with musician Cardi B, and his relentless pursuit of a first Super Bowl championship ring. Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday is not the only significant date marked in his calendar. At 9am next Friday, Diggs is due in court back in Massachusetts, where he will be formally arraigned on serious charges of felony strangulation or suffocation alongside misdemeanor assault and battery.
The allegations stem from an incident on December 2, where Diggs is accused of "smacking" his former chef "across the face" before "trying to choke her" during a discussion about money. Through his legal representation, the Patriots star has "categorically denied" these allegations, stating: "It's been an emotional time. It's definitely an open case so I can't even say anything about it." His arraignment was initially scheduled for January 23 before being postponed until after the Super Bowl, allowing him to focus on football's biggest stage.
Multiple Lawsuits Cast Shadow Over Championship Week
Legal complications have cast a persistent shadow over Diggs throughout the entire season, and on Friday night, merely two days before kickoff, reports surfaced that he had been hit with yet another lawsuit. According to entertainment outlet TMZ, a man who claims he previously worked for Diggs is suing the receiver over the loss of a Ferrari. The lawsuit accuses Diggs of defamation, engaging in civil conspiracy, and being vicariously responsible after members of his inner circle allegedly assaulted the plaintiff.
At the time of writing, Diggs has not publicly addressed this latest legal action. However, the case represents another significant headache for both the Patriots star and the NFL organization as they approach the championship game. Diggs' relationship with Cardi B has undoubtedly catapulted him to unprecedented levels of celebrity, but this heightened profile has come with increased scrutiny. Over recent months, he has already faced a paternity and child support lawsuit from an ex-girlfriend—which has since been dropped—while an influencer separately claimed Diggs "drugged" him, "attempted to sexually assault" him, and later conspired to have him killed.
Personal Relationships and Team Support Amid Controversy
Diggs has consistently denied any wrongdoing in these matters, and Cardi B has remained steadfastly supportive of her partner. Their first child together was born last November, and earlier this week, Diggs paid heartfelt tribute to his girlfriend during media appearances. "When I was a kid, my mama never came to my games—my mom had to go to work," he reflected emotionally. "[Cardi B] is an amazing woman. Being there for me, it's hard I can imagine. I’m a lot to deal with. But I never want to not let her know that I appreciate her."
The New England Patriots organization has similarly stood by their star player throughout these controversies. This week, numerous teammates and coaches lined up to offer praise for Diggs ahead of his inaugural Super Bowl appearance. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing, who has maintained a close relationship with Diggs since his early days with the Minnesota Vikings, told the Daily Mail: "He's a guy that deserves to be here, and I'm excited for him. I'm fortunate to coach him, to be around him every day. He's a wonderful guy."
Career Resurgence and On-Field Excellence
Diggs joined the Patriots eleven months ago on a substantial three-year, $69 million contract, following a single season with the Houston Texans that was brutally cut short by a torn ACL. The serious knee injury, occurring as Diggs was already past thirty, threatened to derail the career of one of football's most accomplished wide receivers. However, New England's faith in the veteran has been thoroughly vindicated. Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the 32-year-old amassed more than 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
Heading into Sunday's championship clash with the Seahawks, Diggs has established himself as quarterback Drake Maye's most potent offensive weapon. Within a relatively young Patriots locker room, he has developed into an important veteran leader and mentor. The only notable absence from his otherwise impressive resume remains a Super Bowl championship victory.
Persistent Off-Field Controversies and Legal Battles
Unfortunately, difficult headlines began emerging even before Diggs had played a single regular-season game for New England. During preseason preparations, he was filmed on a yacht surrounded by women while passing around a pink substance—all while his girlfriend was reportedly nearby. At the time, the Daily Mail revealed that Cardi B "wished he wouldn't be a scumbag and flirt back."
A few months later, influencer and clothing designer Chris Blake Griffith claimed that Diggs had "drugged and sexually assaulted" him in May 2023. Griffith further accused Diggs of conspiring to have him killed a week after the alleged incident to "suppress his gay/bisexual secrets from being exposed." The Patriots star responded by suing Griffith for defamation, branding the allegations "pure fiction" and claiming they caused "deep, immediate, immeasurable and ongoing damage." Diggs also denied any knowledge or involvement in a subsequent attack where his brother Darez—along with two other men—confronted Griffith in Los Angeles, allegedly pulling him from an elevator, kicking him in the face, and stealing his jewelry and telephone.
Darez Diggs later pleaded no contest to felony assault charges according to NBC reports, while Griffith has since filed a countersuit. Last month, meanwhile, it emerged that Diggs' ex-girlfriend had filed to dismiss her paternity lawsuit against the NFL star. In December 2024, Instagram model Aileen Lopera had claimed he was the father of her then-unborn child. The baby was born last April, and in November, Diggs reportedly learned via paternity testing that he was indeed the biological father. Lopera's lawyer, Tamar Arminak, recently told TMZ: "The matter has been resolved."
Ongoing Legal Entanglements and Emotional Reflections
Diggs was already entangled in legal issues when he initially joined the Patriots organization. Back in February, NBC reported that the 32-year-old had filed a lawsuit against another former partner, reality television star Mia Jones. The lawsuit claimed that in June 2024, Jones and a female friend repeatedly punched him in the chest and destroyed approximately $130,000 worth of his personal property. It was further alleged that Jones threatened him with a firearm and—along with her friend Brianna Mack—attempted to extort millions of dollars from him.
Two months later, Jones responded with a countersuit claiming that—on that same evening—Diggs had punched her in the back of the head and "almost immediately" attempted to make her sign a non-disclosure agreement. Diggs, Jones, and Mack all deny the accusations against them, and according to NBC, both legal cases remain active and ongoing.
Throughout this week in the Bay Area, the 32-year-old receiver has managed to avoid extensive interrogation about his numerous off-field issues. He did, however, offer an apology for cursing during media sessions and spoke poignantly about faith, football, and his late father. Aron Diggs died at just thirty-nine years old from congestive heart failure when Stefon was merely fourteen. "Football ain't the end-all and be-all for me, but it's everything I always had," Diggs reflected emotionally. "I lost my dad and I feel like he left me football. So here I am, giving it everything I got for the people that support me and I just appreciate them."
"Because I go through a lot of s*** on a daily basis... people don't really understand how much weight I have to carry on a daily basis, how heavy it might get. And I never flinched, I never complained, I never said nothing about it." When asked what his father—his "best friend"—might tell him before the biggest game of his career, Diggs struggled to contain his emotions. "It ain't enough," he said, before adding: "Finish the mission. He never gave me no pats on the back. I think that'd be my first pat on the back. So my only goal and objective is to finish the mission."
Diggs continued: "I empty my heart, I empty my pockets, I empty everything for the people around me. I'm a very giving person. I would give you the shirt off my back if I love you. So I probably got to stop doing that." It can be challenging to reconcile this version of Diggs—who has held court all week and electrified stadiums all season—with the controversial figure depicted in numerous court filings. In some of these legal cases, the complete truth may remain obscured for some time. But on Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara, a season that began with pink powder controversy could potentially conclude with blue, red, and white championship confetti. Then, immediately afterward, it will be time for court.
