Just days after suffering a significant defeat in Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks, Stefon Diggs appeared in court to address pending charges that had previously been delayed, allowing him to participate in the championship game.
Diggs has entered a not guilty plea concerning allegations of assault and strangulation involving his private chef during an incident that occurred in December. The standout wide receiver joined the New England Patriots last year after one season with the Houston Texans. His veteran presence proved invaluable, especially as he worked alongside sophomore quarterback Drake Maye, who finished as the runner-up for the NFL MVP award, just behind Matthew Stafford. During the season, Diggs amassed 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in the Patriots” return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the post-Tom Brady era.
However, Diggs faced serious legal troubles when he was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery due to an altercation on December 2. The incident was first reported by Boston 25, with a complaint filed weeks later on December 16 by a woman employed by Diggs as a personal chef. Following the allegations, he was ordered to have no contact with the victim and was released on his own recognizance. Diggs, now 32 years old, has adamantly denied the claims of both assault and strangulation, as stated by his attorney, David Meier.
The arraignment had faced criticism for being postponed earlier in order to accommodate Diggs” participation in the Super Bowl. On Friday, Diggs appeared at Dedham District Court in Massachusetts, where he formally pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the altercation, which reportedly stemmed from a financial dispute. The chef, who began her employment with Diggs in July, claimed that he became angry during a discussion about money he owed her. According to her account, when she brought up the issue at his Dedham residence, he allegedly struck her and wrapped his arm around her neck from behind.
Following the arraignment, Meier and another attorney from Todd & Weld LLP withdrew from representing Diggs, who is now being represented by attorney Sara Silva. The proceedings were brief, as Diggs entered the courtroom alongside his legal team and quickly made his plea.
In response to the charges, the Patriots released a statement affirming their support for Diggs: “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Diggs concluded his first season with the Patriots after signing a three-year, $69 million contract during the offseason, contributing significantly to the team”s success in securing their first AFC East title since 2019.
