New England Patriots - NESN.com
The Patriots have a big problem on their hands with Stefon Diggs. So, how will they handle it?
That remains to be seen, as much is undetermined after Diggs was charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault stemming from an alleged Dec. 2 incident involving a female private chef. However, through a statement provided on Tuesday, New England might’ve offered a clue at how it’s approaching the situation.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the statement said. “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.”
During a segment on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand” show, ESPN’s Mike Reiss and NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry focused on a key portion of the statement.
“In that statement, three words are really, really strong: ‘We support Stefon,'” Reiss said. “Sometimes on these things, teams will say, ‘We are aware of reports regarding (player), we will have no further comment at this time.’ That’s not what this was. And so, I think that leads us a little bit in terms of to know where they’re coming from in terms of how they view this situation. … I think that’s significant.”
Perry added: “I do, too. … I don’t think a team that is worth what it’s worth, with the number of people who work for the organization — especially the people who are involved in law enforcement and legal. That statement doesn’t just get put out after a meeting 1-on-1 with Stefon Diggs and he says, ‘I didn’t do it.’ There’s gotta be a lot that goes into that, considering whatever evidence might exist on this front. Maybe they’re not privy to everything that will come to light on this, whenever it comes to light, but they’ve gotta feel pretty strongly about the fact that they believe in Diggs’ story.”
The Patriots might be siding with Diggs, but that doesn’t mean the star receiver will play another down this season. The NFL could place the 32-year-old on the commissioner’s exempt list — essentially a suspension — while it conducts its own investigation, which, hypothetically, could last throughout the playoffs.
Regardless, the charges are serious.
Court documents allege that, on Dec. 2, Diggs smacked and “tried to choke” his private chef over a payment disagreement.
” … (The accuser) had trouble breathing and that she felt like she could have blacked out,” the documents say, per WCVB-TV. “She said that as she tried to pry his arm away, he tightened his grip. At that point the male threw her onto the bed. He said something to the effect of ‘Thought so’.”
Diggs denied the allegations through his lawyer, David Meier.
“Stefon Diggs categorically...
