After a legal battle going back to December, former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty of all charges brought against him in a case where he was accused of strangling his chef over a pay dispute. Now, he can turn his attention to getting back on the field.
Certainly, Diggs’ legal battle has made it difficult to find a home in free agency. There’s been too much uncertainty, and without knowing the trial’s outcome, teams have shied away from him.
It would seem like Diggs is out of the woods. However, as The Associated Press recently explained, that may not be the case. He could still face punishment under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
“We have been monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday.
Obviously, Diggs was found not guilty. That doesn’t mean a player can’t be punished under the personal conduct policy, though. So, teams may also need to be aware of that possibility when they go to sign him.
Former New England Patriots Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs Vindicated in Court
GettyStefon Diggs with the New England Patriots
Stefon Diggs was facing some extremely serious charges in court. His personal chef, a woman who Diggs had a sexual relationship with, accused him of strangling her over a pay dispute.
In total, Diggs was charged with one count of felony strangulation and one count of misdemeanor assault and battery. That strangulation charge came with a maximum of five years’ imprisonment. It would take less than two hours for the jury to find him not guilty of both charges.
“Stefon was not going to settle this case,” Diggs’ lawyer said. “He was falsely accused and he wanted everyone to know that… I was surprised then. I was surprised yesterday. I’m still surprised. This case never should have been brought. It was a waste of resources.”
Video caught Digg’s reaction in court when the verdict was read. He was visibly emotional, taking in the moment. Now, with those legal concerns behind him, he can focus on football once again.
Lawyer for Stefon Diggs Predicts He Will Quickly Find New Team
GettyStefon Diggs with the New England Patriots
The New England Patriots moved on from Stefon Diggs at the start of the league year. That was when the charges were still hanging over his head. Now, with them gone, Diggs has options and his lawyer shared a prediction that he will quickly find a new team to play for.
“He’s been vindicated,” the lawyer said. “And I believe that a team will reach out and sign him imminently. They’re going to be lucky to get him.”
Diggs is coming off a season where he had 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and 4 touchdowns in the regular season. The top receiver for the Patriots, Diggs was a key option for quarterback Drake Maye as he developed into an MVP candidate. Along the way, he helped New England get to the Super Bowl.
“Any team that signs him will be lucky to have him,” the lawyer added. “We are very pleased and happy that Stefon will continue on and play football in the National Football League.”
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Ex-Patriots Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs Faces a Major Hurdle Following Trial appeared first on HEAVY.