For NFL players, January is a time for sharpened focus on the football field. For New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, this crucial playoff month has been clouded by significant off-field legal issues, creating a complex balance between postseason ambitions and personal turmoil.
Court Delay Pushes Legal Battle Past NFL Season
The situation took a new turn on January 10, 2026, when Boston 25 reported a major development. Diggs' legal team successfully requested a postponement of his arraignment. The hearing, originally scheduled for January 23, was moved to February 13, 2026. This new date is strategically significant, falling five days after Super Bowl LX, which is set for February 8.
Diggs faces a serious felony charge of strangulation or suffocation. The charge stems from an alleged incident that occurred on December 2, 2025, just one day after the Patriots' victory over the New York Giants. A former personal chef has accused the star receiver of striking her during a dispute over unpaid wages and attempting to choke her.
Family Support Amidst Public Scrutiny
In the hours following the public court update, a key figure in Diggs' life stepped forward. His mother, Stephanie Diggs, addressed the challenging period in a heartfelt Instagram post on January 11, 2026. "These past few weeks have been rough, but we all got?," she wrote, adding words of motivation for the playoff weekend: "Proud of my sons. Wild Card Weekend, let’s go." Her post featured photos of both Stefon and his younger brother, Trevon Diggs of the Green Bay Packers.
Stephanie Diggs has been a steadfast pillar for her sons since the death of their father in January 2008. Her public message highlighted the personal strain behind the professional athlete's public facade, merging the pressures of high-stakes football with profound personal uncertainty.
Legal Denials and Team Stance
Diggs has firmly denied the allegations through his legal representative. His attorney, David Meier, issued a statement to WBZ on January 5. Meier asserted that the claimed events "did not occur" and "lack evidence." He connected the timing of the accusations to an unresolved financial disagreement between Diggs and the former employee, stating his client's intention to "establish the truth in court."
The New England Patriots organization has also formally addressed the situation. On January 6, the team released a statement, shared by ESPN reporter Mike Reiss, outlining their position. The Patriots stated they support Diggs, are continuing to gather information independently, and will fully cooperate with both law enforcement and the NFL as the legal process unfolds.
With the arraignment now delayed and no immediate disciplinary action from the league, the Patriots' immediate focus shifts to the gridiron. They are set to host the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium in the AFC Wild Card round. However, as Stephanie Diggs' words underscored, the path to February has been fraught with difficulty, and the ultimate resolutions for Stefon Diggs—both on the field in the Super Bowl and off it in a Boston courtroom—now await in the coming month.
