Stefon Diggs was spotted arriving at court on Monday morning as the trial over his alleged assault of a private chef gets underway.
Jury selection is expected to begin in the trial of the former New England Patriots star in connection with a heated dispute he had with his former chef.
Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged altercation.
According to court records, the chef told officers that they had argued about money he owed her for work. During the December 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he ‘smacked her across the face’ and then ‘tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,’ leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.
Diggs’ attorney has said he ‘categorically denies these allegations,’ calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. The football player did not speak to reporters outside court in February.
Stefon Diggs was spotted arriving at court on Monday morning as his assault trial begins
The NFL star is accused of smacking his former chef in the face and trying to strangle her
He signed a three-year, $69million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during their run to the Super Bowl, where they suffered defeat to the Seattle Seahawks.
Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.
His 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay in Houston.
Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March amid the controversy surrounding his personal life and is yet to join a new team.
As well as the legal battle with his former chef, last year the 32-year-old was also hit with bombshell allegations from an influencer who accused him of intentionally drugging, making unwanted sexual advances towards and later conspiring to kill him.
Diggs, who recently split from girlfriend Cardi B (right), has denied the allegations against him
Diggs responded in November by suing the online star, whose name is Christopher Griffith, for defamation after alleging that he concocted a lurid tale.
Griffith, who countersued him in response to the defamation lawsuit, levied a fresh legal challenge against Diggs, in a court filing reviewed by the Daily Mail last month.
The ex-Patriots player has also had relationship troubles in recent months after splitting from rapper Cardi B.
The couple welcomed a baby boy together in November 2025 before going their separate ways just months later, with the relationship appearing to end acrimoniously.
