FOXBORO — Stefon Diggs addressed reporters Friday for the primary time because it got here to mild earlier this week that the Patriots’ large receiver is dealing with felony prices.
Diggs made it clear he would solely reply soccer questions however did briefly deal with the previous week, saying, “clearly it’s a special time, very emotional time, taken again by some issues that’s been occurring.”
“Coping with all the things, it’s undoubtedly an open case, so I can’t even say something about it,” Diggs stated.
Diggs is dealing with felony prices stemming from an alleged incident on Dec. 2 along with his private chef. The 32-year-old receiver is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery prices, in response to courtroom paperwork. An arraignment is about for Jan. 23, two days earlier than the AFC Championship.
Diggs knowledgeable the Patriots that he “categorically denies the allegations,” the workforce stated by means of an announcement on Tuesday.
“We help Stefon. We’ll proceed to assemble info and can cooperate absolutely with the suitable authorities and the NFL as obligatory,” the group added. “Out of respect for all events concerned, and provided that that is an ongoing authorized matter, we can have no additional remark presently.”
The NFL launched an announcement on Wednesday, saying Diggs is “eligible to play presently.” There was hypothesis earlier within the week that Diggs might be placed on paid go away on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt Checklist.
“Pursuant to the Private Conduct Coverage, consideration for placement on the Commissioner Exempt Checklist could also be thought of following formal prices within the type of an indictment by a grand jury, the submitting of prices by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a felony courtroom,” the league’s assertion continued.
Diggs was requested Friday how the Patriots guard in opposition to distractions.
“It’s form of been a factor all year long,” Diggs stated. “All of us take care of life stuff, household stuff … it’s simply being a soccer workforce, it’s laborious, you band collectively, you lean in your brothers, you lean on the folks you spend probably the most time with. For me, I’ve been coping with this (expletive) my entire life. Nothing new to me. I simply gotta position with the punches, keep as constructive as I can. It’s undoubtedly one thing you’ve acquired to regulate to, however I’m good for no matter.”
Diggs went on to say that his focus is “the place it’s been at.”
