Any doubt about Stefon Diggs’ intensity level ahead of Sunday’s AFC Championship in Denver was extinguished by wild pregame video of the New England Patriots star headbutting a helmeted teammate.
With only his braids to protect his cranium, the snarling Diggs knocked his forehead into Patriots teammate K’Lavon Chaisson’s facemask as CBS Sports’ Evan Washburn reported from the New England sideline.
‘Love the enthusiasm but dont CTE yourself dog,’ one fan wrote online, referring to the incurable neurodegenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy
There were other jokes about traumatic brain injuries as well: ‘They gonna throw him in the blue tent now.’
Several critics made flippant jokes about Diggs’ legal problems. The veteran receiver and father of rapper Cardi B’s youngest child is accused of attacking his personal chef during an alleged dispute at his home. He faces charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
Diggs ‘categorically denies’ the allegation, according to a previously released statement.
With only his braids to protect his cranium, the snarling Diggs knocked his forehead into Patriots teammate K’Lavon Chaisson’s facemask before Sunday’s kickoff in Denver
Diggs became an NFL ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ finalist for his return from knee surgery
As detailed in the incident report provided to the Daily Mail by Dedham, Massachusetts police, the female accuser said Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom, grabbed her from behind and ‘tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.’
The unidentified woman informed police about the attack on December 16, adding her belief that Diggs’ girlfriend left her voice and text messages to dissuade her from pressing charges. She did not specifically mention Cardi B by name, according to the incident report provided to the Daily Mail.
While the saga has rumbled on in the background over recent months, Diggs has remained on the field for the Patriots and played a key role in their Super Bowl push. Along the way, he became an NFL ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ finalist for his return from last season’s devastating knee injury with the Houston Texans.
Now 32, Diggs had one of his greatest seasons as a pro, appearing in all 17 games for New England, while recording 85 catches on 102 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He added another touchdown in last week’s divisional-round win over his former team, the Texans.
