Stefon Diggs could not hold back his tears as he spoke out Sunday after the New England Patriots clinched their spot in Super Bowl 60.
The Patriots outlasted the Denver Broncos in a low-scoring AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Diggs tallied a team-best five receptions for 17 yards in New England’s 10-7 road win.
“I’m just so proud of this team, man,” Diggs said with tears streaming down his face. “You don’t know how hard this year has been, battling the injury and coming back. Being around the right group of guys: great quarterback, great OC, great team, great head coach. It made it all worth it, all the hard work.
“… They were calling me washed. Saying I didn’t have it no more. I just wanted to prove to myself I am who I say I am. [Patriots executive Eliot Wolf] took a chance on me. This team took a chance on me. I just wanted to make them proud.”
“They were calling me washed. Saying I didn’t have it anymore. I just wanted to prove to myself I am who I say I am.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 26, 2026
“This team took a chance on me. I just wanted to make them proud.”
1-on-1 with emotional #Patriots WR Stefon Diggs headed to 1st Super Bowl: pic.twitter.com/B2dD8Wq47h
Diggs suffered a season-ending torn ACL during his 2024 season with the Houston Texans. The Patriots took a flier on Diggs, who also came with some off-the-field baggage that drew negative headlines earlier in the season.
The 4-time Pro Bowler quieted his doubters with his play on the field. Diggs led the Patriots in catches (85) and receiving yards (1,013) while playing in all 17 regular-season games for New England.
Diggs entered Sunday with a pair of Championship Game losses during his time with the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. The third time proved to be the charm for Diggs, who’s now the top target on a Super Bowl-bound squad.
