Patriots Players Address Criminal Charges Amid Playoff Preparations

New England Patriots players Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore faced reporters in their locker room but avoided discussing the criminal charges against them, as they gear up for the final game of the season and the playoffs.

When questioned, Diggs, who is accused of assaulting a personal chef during a financial dispute, described this as an “emotional time,” expressing regret for his absence over the past few days. He noted, “These are different kinds of times.” He also mentioned that he couldn’t comment on the open case but was willing to answer any questions related to football.

At one point, when asked about teammate support, Diggs replied, “Is that a football question?” reaffirming his commitment to remain focused on the game. He repeated the question when asked if he had discussed the situation with Barmore.

Barmore, facing charges of domestic assault and battery after an incident with his girlfriend, remained focused on the upcoming game against Miami. He told reporters, “I’m focused on Miami and football.”

According to reports, Diggs allegedly strangled the chef during the conflict, with claims that he “smacked her in the face” and tried to choke her. In a separate incident, Barmore is accused of throwing his girlfriend to the ground and blocking her attempts to escape for help.

The NFL has stated both players remain eligible to play this Sunday. A league statement specified that a player’s status might change if formally charged through a grand jury or criminal court proceedings.

Diggs’s attorney has denied the allegations, framing them as part of a financial dispute between an employee and employer. He expressed confidence that the truth would come out in court.

Barmore’s legal representative also stated confidence that evidence would demonstrate no criminal activity occurred, and expressed hope for an amicable resolution to the situation.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel commented on the distraction caused by these issues. He said he wasn’t disappointed, acknowledging that distractions happen regularly, but expressed confidence the team could focus on their playoff preparations.