Stefon Diggs arrested before Super Bowl Patriots vs Seahawks game? Here's the truth

Stefon Diggs is currently facing felony charges for strangulation or suffocation following an alleged assault on a former personal chef during a payment dispute

Published on: Feb 09, 2026 2:44 AM IST

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The New England Patriots are set to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday. Hours before the game, a viral post on X claimed that Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs had been arrested, causing concern among fans.

Stefon Diggs #8 of the New England Patriots participates in drills during practice prior to Super Bowl LX at Stanford Stadium on February 05, 2026 in Stanford, California. (Getty Images via AFP)

The post read, "Patriots WR Stefon Diggs was arrested early this morning for aggravated assault on a robot outside of a hotel in Santa Clara. He is still expected to play tonight in SBLX."

While the post was clearly a parody from a satirical X account, some fans took it seriously. In less than two hours, the post had already received over 400,000 views.

Also Read: What time is Super Bowl 2026 kickoff? ET and PT start times and how to watch live for free

Stefon Diggs criminal charges

Separately, Diggs is currently facing criminal charges stemming from an alleged December 2, 2025, incident at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts. He faces felony charges for strangulation or suffocation following an alleged assault on a former personal chef during a payment dispute.

According to TMZ, the chef claims Diggs slapped her and attempted to choke her using the crook of his elbow during a conversation about unpaid wages. She alleges that Diggs also threw her onto a bed. The incident was reported to police on December 16, and charges were formally filed two weeks later.

Diggs and his legal team categorically deny the allegations.

Though the case is ongoing, Diggs successfully requested a delay in his arraignment, originally scheduled for January, until February 13. This allows him to participate in the Super Bowl game without immediate court proceedings.

The NFL is still expected to review the situation and may impose disciplinary action on Diggs as a result of the charges.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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