Cardi B’s boyfriend Stefon Diggs nominated for NFL comeback player of the year despite assault charge

New England Patriots star Stefon Diggs has been nominated for the NFL’s ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ award – despite his ongoing legal battles.

On Thursday morning, the NFL confirmed the nominees for their annual awards and among them was Patriots star – and boyfriend to Cardi B – Diggs. 

Though the wide receiver has, undoubtedly, had an immense resurgence on the football field over the last 12 months, he has also brought plenty of controversy off it.

Diggs, 32, is accused of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery after an alleged incident involving his personal chef last month.

Through the Patriots, it was revealed Diggs ‘categorically denies’ the allegations against him and as per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, he added: ‘It’s been an emotional time. It’s definitely an open case so I can’t even say anything about it.’

While the saga has rumbled on in the background over recent months, Diggs has remained on the field for the Patriots and played a key role in their Super Bowl push. 

During the regular season, he played 17 games for the franchise. In that time he made 85 receptions for 1013 yards and scored four touchdowns.

In their playoff run – which has seen them brush past the Broncos and the Texans, he has made six receptions for 56 yards, scoring one touchdown in that time. 

It marked a stark contrast to his season in 2024 with the Houston Texans, where he made just eight appearances before suffering a torn ACL which ended his season.

In March last year, Diggs left the Texans and joined the Patriots and, just two months later, became embroiled off-field drama. 

In May, Diggs was seen partying aboard a boat in a viral clip that showed him handling a pink substance believed to be drugs. 

He would ultimately discuss the incident with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who has agreed to keep the conversation private, but was never punished by the team or league.

Following that, a bombshell allegation was made by social media influencer and clothing designer Chris Blake Griffith, who claimed Diggs tried to drug him, made unwanted sexual advances and later conspired to kill him.

In response, Diggs accused Griffith of concocting a lurid tale and sued him for defamation. Griffith has since filed a counterclaim, standing by his accusations against the former All-Pro.

Currently, Diggs is accused of slapping and choking his personal chef during a financial argument at his residence in the Boston suburb of Dedham on December 2.

According to the incident report provided to the Daily Mail, the woman said Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom, grabbed her from behind and ‘tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.’

She told police on December 16 she feared she ‘could have blacked out,’ before being thrown down onto the bed by Diggs. The accuser initially hesitated to identify Diggs to police ‘due to his fame,’ according to the incident report.

The legal issues had threatened to derail the New England Patriots’ postseason but, earlier this month, his arraignment date was pushed back until after Super Bowl LX. 

Amid all of his off-field controversy this season, Diggs recently took the time to pay a heartfelt tribute to girlfriend – and mother of his sixth child – Cardi B.  

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Diggs said: ‘I just appreciate the support. She’s an amazing supporter to me and the Patriots.

‘She wasn’t a football girl before I converted her over. I’m just thankful to have her in my corner and to continue to build that relationship. 

‘I don’t talk too much about my personal life but she’s an amazing woman’, he added.

The rapper only began dating the wide receiver in early 2025, going public with their relationship in May, before welcoming a baby together in November. 

Throughout the season, Cardi B has been spotted in the stands – both at home or on the road – cheering on her NFL star boyfriend, despite his off-field issues.