The Patriots have already clinched the AFC East prior to the last week of the NFL regular season, but there’s plenty of off-field controversy surrounding the team.
Both wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive tackle Christian Barmore are facing criminal charges, and on Friday, each player addressed the situations for the first time publicly — although neither said much.
Diggs, accused of felony strangulation or suffocation, as well as misdemeanor assault and battery related to an incident in December, said Friday he couldn’t comment on the matter.
“It’s been an emotional time, dealing with everything,” Diggs said, according to Sports Illustrated. “It’s definitely an open case, so I can’t even say anything about it.“
Diggs, no stranger to issues away from football, was accused of hitting and choking a female employee during a money dispute in his home last month, according to a police report of the alleged incident.
He is set to be arraigned on Jan. 23, and his attorney has denied the accusations.
In his first year in New England, Diggs leads the team in receptions (82) and receiving yards (970).
Barmore, scheduled to be arraigned in February, was charged with assault and battery on a family/household member.
The charges date back to an incident on Aug. 8, when Barmore was allegedly angry about the air conditioning temperature in his bedroom and when the couple also had an alleged argument over food, according to court documents.
The woman “intended to open the door and scream for help but Christian grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor,” according to ESPN, which cited court documents.
On Friday, Barmore, a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2021, only spoke about the regular-season finale against the Dolphins when pressed about his legal situation.
“I’m focused on Miami,’’ Barmore said. “Just play football.”
The NFL said both players would be eligible to play while their cases are under review.
A punishment from the league would not come until “an indictment by a grand jury, the filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a criminal court.”
The 13-3 Patriots could earn a first-round playoff bye with a win in Week 18 against Miami if the Broncos also lose to the Chargers.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
