NFL star Stefon Diggs avoids possible 5 year prison sentence
Stefon Diggs is officially cleared. After a highly scrutinized case, the NFL star was found not guilty on Tuesday on the charge of strangulation or suffocation and not guilty of assault and battery, avoiding what could have been a five-year prison sentence tied to allegations stemming from an incident last December. MORE: Super Bowl champion Seahawks add former first round pick to their defense Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images A Case That Came Down to Burden of Proof At its core, the case reflected a fundamental principle of the American legal system: Guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The allegations centered on claims that Diggs assaulted his personal chef during an incident on Dec. 2.
However, in what ultimately became a he-said, she-said case, the prosecution was unable to meet that burden. The jury’s verdict made that clear. Diggs, who did not testify during the trial, walks away legally cleared.
Testimony Played a Key Role The outcome was heavily influenced by issues with the prosecution’s case—particularly the credibility of testimony. During the trial, the accuser: Admitted to deleting text messages Confirmed a prior personal relationship with Diggs before her employment Faced multiple challenges under questioning At one point, the presiding judge even threatened to strike her testimony entirely, underscoring the inconsistencies that emerged. Those factors likely played a significant role in the jury’s decision.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images What This Means for Diggs’ NFL Future While Diggs is now clear in a legal sense, questions remain about his standing within the NFL.