Super Bowl star breaks down in tears after repeating ‘disrespectful’ nationwide anthem conduct
The Seattle Seahawks claimed a second Super Bowl title after they beat the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night, sparking emotional scenes
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots ahead of Super Bowl LX(Image: (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images))
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was overwhelmed with emotion following his side’s Super Bowl defeat to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks claimed a second Super Bowl title as they beat the Patriots 29-13 with a dominant defensive performance on Sunday night. New England quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times as the Seahawks defence kept their opponents scoreless until the fourth quarter at Santa Clara, California. Maye also threw two interceptions and fumbled under pressure, with the two turnovers leading to Seahawks touchdowns.
The Seahawks celebrated wildly, with the festivities including a customary lemon-lime Gatorade shower on the dome of head coach Mike McDonald, team-coloured confetti shooting from cannons, and postgame interviews with impact players, including quarterback Sam Darnold, receiving yards leader Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and game MVP Kenneth Walker III.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
But Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was not on the field, as he quickly walked off with visible emotion. Cameras captured Diggs walking off the field abruptly, showing the same double sniffles that often precede tears.
Meanwhile, Digg’s Grammy-winning musician girlfriend, Cardi B, broke the internet as a surprise guest during Latin superstar Bad Bunny’s heavily anticipated, yet also polarising, halftime performance.
Diggs had just three catches for 37 yards in the game, which was his second-highest total of the postseason after a 40-yard performance during the Wild Card round victory over the Houston Texans.
One of those catches was a 26-yard gain with 2:58 left on the clock and the game already decided. The Patriots receiver started the game on a controversial note when some fans felt he showed disrespect by turning his back during Charlie Puth’s polarising, pop-influenced rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner before kickoff.
It was the second gesture that landed Diggs in hot water after he was shown warming up with jumping jacks and sprints while the anthem played during the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos.
To add insult to injury, Diggs was punched by Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe in the fourth quarter following a heated play that ended with an incomplete pass and no flags thrown. The play initially saw Diggs run out of bounds while being chased by Devon Witherspoon during a broken play. Jobe flew in just seconds after, wrapped and delivered a push that sent Diggs to the ground.
The Patriots’ wide receiver immediately confronted the Seahawks’ defender, leading to an exchange where both players yapped and tugged on each other’s face masks. Jobe then struck Diggs as referees came to break up the action.
The Patriots lost 29-13 to a Seattle team that forced three turnovers and sacked quarterback Drake Maye six times, one shy of tying the Super Bowl record. The Seattle defence finished its strong showing by forcing four three-and-outs, leading to punts.
Diggs has played in the NFL for 11 seasons and advanced to the postseason eight times. The furthest he advanced in the postseason beforehand was an NFC Conference Championship loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.
