Total Pro Sports
An insider has revealed how the New England Patriots plan to handle Stefon Diggs amid his legal issues.
Police charged Diggs with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery following accusations made by his personal chef.
The Patriots are standing by him for now, but things could change based on the outcome of his case.
The Daily Mail cites a well-placed source who told them the Pats could suspend or release the wide receiver should he be found guilty. However, he’s been given the benefit of the doubt for now.
Said source also told the Mail that the team has unique experience in dealing with such matters, given the Aaron Hernandez situation several years back.
They were quoted as saying, “The Patriots franchise have dealt with issues with their players in the past, look at what happened with Aaron Hernandez after his arrest for murder, so unfortunately they are well prepared to deal with issues that come up if their star players do anything bad.”
The added:
“Everything is on the table if Diggs is convicted of these crimes, from suspension to a full release from the team.
But they are also giving him the benefit of the doubt, innocent until proven guilty, all of that. The next few weeks as the team strives to make it to the Super Bowl and win it will be their focus.
Their coach Mike Vrabel and owner Robert Kraft have already been making plans and having discussions for every scenario as the team’s success and avoiding as much of a media circus is the only option they are gearing toward.
It is a disturbance, but not as big as it could be and likely won’t derail the locker room no matter what the outlook turns out to be.’
Diggs broke his silence this past Friday after failing to speak to the media two days prior. He apologized for the aforementioned but made it clear that he was unable to discuss the ongoing legal matter.
A woman who worked for him as a personal chef has alleged that the wide receiver slapped and choked her during a dispute over unpaid wages.
He will be arraigned on January 23, two days before the AFC Championship Game.
Diggs is expected to play against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.
