Getty
Stefon Diggs #8 of the New England Patriots looks on during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Stefon Diggs remained on the field after falling short of the Super Bowl with the Buffalo Bills, watching the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate their win in the 2020 AFC Championship.
Diggs had another level of emotion on Sunday, when the New England Patriots overcame the Denver Broncos in a messy game to reach the Super Bowl. The former Bills receiver was emotional on the field after the game, appearing to hold back tears and later sharing a tender moment with his girlfriend, rapper Cardi B.
Stefon Diggs Finally Reaches Super Bowl
Cameras showed Diggs overcome with emotion after the win, embracing Cardi B as his teammates celebrated on the field.
It was a long time coming for Diggs, who was the subject of a famous photograph as he watched the Chiefs celebrate following Buffalo’s resounding loss in the 2020 NFL playoffs. Diggs had already played in two conference title games before Sunday’s 10-7 win over the Broncos, falling short with both the Bills and Minnesota Vikings.
Diggs was asked about the image this week, saying he is not dwelling on the past and remained focused on helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the departure of Tom Brady after the 2019 season.
“I’m equally as motivated as I was last week to win the game. I try not to make things more than what they are. That was a moment in my life four or five years ago,” Diggs said when asked about the photo, via MassLive.com. “A lot has happened since then. Be where my feet are right now. We have a great opportunity right in front of us. Everybody over here is laser-focused.”
Diggs added that he was enjoying this season and hoping to cap it off with a Super Bowl.
“Can’t think about the stuff in the past or what’s in front of me. Just think about right now,” Diggs said. “I’m going to take full advantage of that. I’m going to enjoy being at work. I talk to a lot of my friends on a daily basis. They’re not blessed to be at work right now. I’m just blessed to be here.”
Diggs was pumped even before the game started, with SportsCenter sharing a clip on X that showed him headbutting a teammate — even though the teammate was wearing a helmet and Diggs was not.
Stefon Diggs Not a Big Factor in AFC Title Game Win
Though Diggs topped 1,000 yards this season with the Patriots, he struggled to replicate the success in the playoffs.
The Patriots had just 206 yards of total offense in the win, holding Denver to 181 yards in a game that was overtaken by snow late in the third quarter. Diggs made two receptions for 17 yards — which put him second behind former Bills receiver Mack Hollins, who made two receptions for 51 yards.
Though he didn’t play a big role in Sunday’s win, this was something of a redemption season for Diggs after he was traded by the Bills in 2024. He suffered a season-ending injury with the Houston Texans last year before landing with the Patriots last offseason.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
More Heavy on Bills
Loading more stories