Shortly after 5pm Monday, Stefon Diggs stepped on to a press conference podium in San Jose to begin the first of several hours of cross-examination ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.
The New England Patriots receiver, one of the few superstars in this season finale against the Seahawks, was dressed in a team-issue tracksuit that covered most of the scars he has collected over 11 years in the NFL. Most of his tattoos, too. But some ink crawled above his neckline and slithered beyond his sleeves. One tattoo, visible on his right hand, read simply: 'Patience'
This can be a long, draining week. And, over the next few days, the 32-year-old sat through question after question about his long career, his girlfriend Cardi B and his pursuit of a first Super Bowl ring. This could be his crowning moment. 'Something that I waited for my whole life for,' as he put it.
Unfortunately, Super Bowl Sunday is not only the significant date in his diary. At 9am next Friday, Diggs is due in court back in Massachusetts, where he will be arraigned on charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
It is alleged that, during a December 2 discussion about money, Diggs 'smacked' his former chef 'across the face' before 'trying to choke her.' Through his attorney, the Patriots star 'categorically denied' the allegations before adding: 'It's been an emotional time. It's definitely an open case so I can't even say anything about it.'
His arraignment was initially slated for January 23 before being postponed until after the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, legal issues have cast a long shadow over Diggs all season and on Friday night, two days before kickoff, reports emerged that he had been hit with yet another lawsuit.
According to TMZ, a man - who claims he used to work for Diggs - is suing the receiver over the loss of a Ferrari. Diggs is accused of defamation, engaging in a civil conspiracy and being vicariously responsible after members of his circle allegedly beat the man up.
At the time of writing, Diggs has not addressed the lawsuit. But the case represents another headache for the Patriots star - and the NFL - heading into the Super Bowl.
Diggs' relationship with Cardi B has catapulted him to new levels of stardom and, over recent months, he has already been subject to a paternity and child support lawsuit by an ex-girlfriend - which has now been dropped - while an influencer claimed Diggs 'drugged' him, 'attempted to sexually assault' him and later conspired to kill him.
Diggs denies any wrongdoing and Cardi B has stuck by her boyfriend. Their first child was born last November and earlier this week, Diggs paid tribute to his partner.
'When I was a kid, my mama never came to my games - my mom had to go to work,' he said. '[Cardi B] is an amazing woman. Being there for me, it's hard I can imagine. I'm a lot to deal with. But I never want to not let her know that I appreciate her.'
The Patriots have stood by their man, too, and this week players and coaches lined up to pile praise on Diggs ahead of his first Super Bowl appearance.
'He's a guy that deserves to be here, and I'm excited for him,' wide receivers coach Todd Downing, who has been close with Diggs since his early days with the Minnesota Vikings, told the Daily Mail. 'I'm fortunate to coach him, to be around him every day. He's a wonderful guy.'
Diggs joined New England 11 months ago - on a three-year, $69million deal - after one season with the Houston Texans that was brutally cut short by a torn ACL. The serious knee injury, with Diggs already the wrong side of 30, imperiled the career of one of football's finest wide receivers.
Turns out New England were right not to worry. Under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the 32-year-old amassed more than 1,000 yards for the seventh season out of the last eight.
Heading into Sunday's clash with the Seahawks, Diggs is quarterback Drake Maye's most potent weapon; within a young Patriots locker room, he has developed into an important leader. All that's missing from his resume? A Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, difficult headlines emerged before Diggs had played a game in New England. During preseason, he was filmed on a yacht, surrounded by women, passing around a pink substance. All while his girlfriend was nearby. At the time, the Daily Mail revealed how Cardi B 'wished he wouldn't be a scumbag and flirt back.'
A few months later, influencer and clothing designer Chris Blake Griffith claimed that Diggs 'drugged and sexually assaulted' him in May 2023. Griffith accused Diggs of conspiring to have him killed a week after the alleged incident to 'suppress his gay/bisexual secrets from being exposed.'
The Patriots star sued Griffith for defamation, branding the allegations 'pure fiction' and claiming they caused 'deep, immediate, immeasurable and ongoing damage.' Diggs also denied having any knowledge or involvement in the attack when NFL star's brother Darez - and two other men - confronted Griffith in Los Angeles.
It's said they pulled him out of an elevator, kicked him in the face, ripped jewelry off his neck, and took his telephone. Darez Diggs later pleaded no contest to felony assault charges, per NBC, and Griffith has since filed a countersuit.
Last month, meanwhile, it emerged that Diggs' ex had filed to dismiss her lawsuit against the NFL star. In December 2024, Instagram model Aileen Lopera claimed he was the father of her then-unborn child.
The baby was born last April and in November, Diggs reportedly learned via paternity test that it was his child. Lopera's lawyer, Tamar Arminak, recently told TMZ: 'The matter has been resolved.'
Diggs was already entangled in legal issues when he joined the Patriots. Back in February, NBC reported, the 32-year-old filed a lawsuit against another ex, reality TV star Mia Jones.
It claimed that in June 2024, Jones and a female friend repeatedly punched him in the chest and destroyed around $130,000-worth of his property. It was also alleged that Jones threatened him with a gun and - along with a friend, Brianna Mack - attempted to extort him for millions of dollars.
Two months later, Jones hit back with a countersuit that claimed - on that same night - Diggs punched her in the back of the head and 'almost immediately' tried to make her sign a non-disclosure agreement. Diggs, Jones and Mack all deny the accusations against them and, according to NBC, both cases remain active.
This week in the Bay Area, the 32-year-old has managed to avoid much interrogation about his off-field issues. He did, however, apologize for cursing and speak poignantly about faith, football and his late father. Aron Diggs died aged just 39 of congestive heart failure when Stefon was just 14.
'Football ain't the end-all and be-all for me, but it's everything I always had. I lost my dad and I feel like he left me football,' Diggs said. 'So here I am giving it everything I got for the people that support me and I just appreciate them.
'Because I go through a lot of s* on a daily basis... people don't really understand how much weight I have to carry on a daily basis, how heavy it might get. And I never flinched; I never complained; I never said nothing about it.'
So what would his Dad - his 'best friend' - tell his son before the biggest game of his career? "It ain't enough," Diggs said, struggling to contain his emotion.
The 32-year-old receiver has enjoyed a brilliant first season with the New England Patriots
"Finish the mission." He never gave me no pats on the back. I think that'd be my first pat on the back. So my only goal and objective is to finish the mission.'
Diggs continued: 'I empty my heart; I empty my pockets; I empty everything for the people around me. I'm a very giving person. I would give you the shirt off my back if I love you. So I probably got to stop doing that.'
It can be hard to marry this Diggs, who has held court all week - and lit up stadiums all season - with the figure painted in court filings.
In some of those cases, the truth may remain blurred for some time. But on Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara, a season that began with pink powder could end with blue, red and white confetti. Then it's time for court.