New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs used a curious food analogy to describe his team’s consistent play just days after being accused of strangling and assaulting his private chef.
“We have this little saying, ‘Don’t switch the macaroni and cheese,’” Diggs, 32, told reporters after the Patriots’ 38-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 4.
Diggs continued, “The analogy came from somebody on Thanksgiving. They came to their family gathering and they made new mac and cheese. They said, ‘Don’t trial and error on our day.’ So, same recipe. Don’t change the mac and cheese.”
The Patriots finished the regular season 14-3 and captured the AFC East title for the first time since 2019. New England opens the playoffs at home against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, January 11.
News broke on Tuesday, December 30, that Diggs was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery over an alleged incident at his home with his live-in private chef on December 2.
The woman accused Diggs of strangling her and throwing her onto her bed following an alleged argument about her finances.
Diggs broke his silence about the allegations after Patriots practice on Friday, January 2.
“It’s been a couple days. I usually get to talk to y’all on Wednesday, but obviously it’s a different time. An emotional time,” Diggs told reporters. “Taken aback by some things that’s been going on. But I want to be here to say sorry I wasn’t available for those couple days. It’s a different kind of time.”
The NFL star said he was still “dealing with everything” but did not address the specific allegations head-on.
“It’s definitely an open case, so I can’t even say anything about it,” Diggs explained. “I will be open to any football questions, anything you want to know. I don’t want to be rude or disruptive in any way. If anybody asks me a question pertaining to [the allegations], I’m obviously just going to give you a look. Y’all kind of know me at this point.”
Diggs’ lawyer said he “categorically denies these allegations” in a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday.
“They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated and were never investigated — because they did not occur,” attorney David Meier said. “The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: They are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.”
The Patriots organization also pledged their support to Diggs shortly after the allegations came to light.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the team’s statement read. “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on January 23, two days before the AFC Championship game.
