Two New England Patriots star players accused of assault took the field in the final game of the regular season – with the No. 1 seed in the AFC on the line.
Defensive tackle Christian Barmore and wide receiver Stefon Diggs both were on the gameday roster for the Patriots as the team hosted the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins in Foxborough on Sunday evening.
Earlier in the week, allegations against Diggs came to light when his personal chef accused him of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
The next day, Barmore was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery after his girlfriend told police he threw her to the ground during an alleged dispute in early August.
Through the Patriots, it was revealed Diggs ‘categorically denies’ the allegations against him and as per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, he added on Friday: ‘Dealing with the everything – it’s definitely an open case so I can’t even say anything about it.’
Barmore, a former second-round pick out of Alabama, is accused of getting in a physical altercation with his now-former girlfriend over the air temperature in his bedroom. Attorney David Meier, who represents both Barmore and Diggs, has issued denials on behalf of both clients.
Patriots stars Stefon Diggs (L) and Christian Barmore (R) played on Sunday after being separately accused of assault earlier in the week
Diggs was accused of choking and assaulting his personal chef over a salary dispute
Barmore was accused of domestic violence against his now-ex girlfriend in an August incident
The defensive tackle refused to answer about the claims against him on Friday, telling reporters in the locker room that he was only thinking about the Miami Dolphins game coming up on Sunday.
‘I’m focused on Miami. Just play football,’ Barmore was quoted as saying, twice, by Daniels when he was asked about the accusations against him.
The accusations surfaced just days after the Patriots clinched the AFC East title and a top-two seed in the conference as they eye a record-setting seventh Super Bowl title.
Speaking on New Year’s Eve, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said: ‘We always want to gather more information. We’ve been aware of these allegations. Yesterday and today wasn’t the first we’ve heard about them.
‘Tried to do everything in accordance with the league policy and making sure that the league, that we’re in compliance with the league.’
While Diggs and Barmore suited up on Sunday, their status in future games may change if they face formal charges via ‘an indictment by a grand jury, the filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a criminal court,’ according to the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Vrabel continued: ‘These, again are allegations. We’ve made a statement. We’ve taken the allegations very seriously.
‘What comes of that we’ll have another discussion. I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusion right now, and let the process take its toll.’
Diggs is pictured with girlfriend Cardi B in courtside seats at Madison Square Garden in May
In order to lock up the No. 1 seed – and with it, a first-round bye – the Patriots would need to beat Miami. They’d also need the Los Angeles Chargers to defeat the Denver Broncos.
While the status of Diggs and Barmore for the playoffs is fluid, the pair are set to be arraigned in the middle of the playoffs.
Diggs is set to report to Dedham District Court on January 23, the Friday before the AFC Championship Game.
Meanwhile, Barmore’s arraignment in Attleboro District Court comes on February 3 – the Monday before Super Bowl LX.
According to a December 18 criminal complaint against Barmore, the alleged victim called police on August 25 to report the defensive star, whom she accused of attacking her on August 8.
The accuser told police she took their daughter into his bedroom that morning, where Barmore became angry over the thermostat temperature. She claimed she told him that their daughter wanted to see him, but Barmore allegedly responded by picking up the girl and placing her outside of his bedroom door, which he then slammed shut.
On Wednesday, the 26-year-old Barmore was charged with domestic assault and battery after his girlfriend told police he threw her to the ground during an August dispute
Diggs, the 32-year-old boyfriend of rapper Cardi B, was charged Tuesday with felony strangulation or suffocation as well as misdemeanor assault and battery
Later, she claimed, Barmore took her phone away while she was calling her mother, prompting her to head to the front door to call for help.
As she told police, Barmore ‘grabbed her before she could [get to the door] and threw her to the floor.’
A car provided by the team took the woman and their daughter to Delaware, she told police. The team has released a statement on the matter, saying officials were aware of the situation when it occurred and did notify the league.
Diggs, the father of Cardi B’s fourth child, has denied the allegations to the team, as Patriots spokespeople revealed in a statement provided to the Daily Mail.
‘The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,’ the statement began. ‘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.’
