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Coach of the New England Patriots Mike Vrabel said he was confident in criminal proceedings against the receiver Steve Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore will not be a distraction for his team. This week, the team is aiming for the AFC’s top seed in the playoffs. Diggs faces strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. And Christian Barmore faces misdemeanor domestic violence and battery charges after his girlfriend filed a report against him.
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What happened between Christian Barmore and his girlfriend?
Christian Barmore’s girlfriend told police Aug. 25 that he threw her to the ground three weeks earlier at his home near Boston. A criminal complaint was filed on December 18.
According to the associated pressthe woman told police she took their daughter early on the morning of Aug. 8 to Barmore’s room. At the time, Barmore was upset because the thermostat was 2 degrees hotter than he preferred. She said their daughter wanted to see it. But, she said, Barmore “I picked up the child, placed her on the floor just outside the master bedroom, went back into the room and slammed the door,” according to police. As the woman was packing her things to leave later that day, Christian Barmore took the phone from her hand and interrupted a call with the woman’s mother, according to the criminal complaint. When she walked to the front door to call for help, police said, Barmore allegedly “grabbed her before she could and threw her to the ground.” Additionally, Barmore grabbed her by the shirt but “eventually let go” and the woman got up, she told police. A car provided by the Patriots picked up the woman and their daughter and drove them to Delaware. She provided police with a photo showing bruising that she said occurred when she was thrown to the ground.
Stefon Diggs’ lawyer, David Meieralso represents Barmore. The attorney released a statement Wednesday, Dec. 31, saying the evidence in Barmore’s case “will demonstrate that no criminal conduct occurred.” The indictment of the 26-year-old young man is scheduled for early February.
Patriots head coach says accusations won’t affect team’s play
The New England Patriots are currently 13-3 and have already won their first AFC East title since 2019. With a win against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and a Denver Broncos loss or tie against the Chargers, New England would also secure the conference’s top seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye.
“I think those are allegations. … Things we have to deal with,” coach Mike Vrabel said. “Every day there are distractions, some are smaller than others. I’m sure our focus will be on the Dolphins. And these two individuals (Diggs and Barmore) will be able to handle the legal process at hand.”
Coach Vrabel said Christian Barmore was suffering from an illness and was not with the team for practice on Wednesday (Dec. 31). Meanwhile, Diggs did not speak to reporters Wednesday as he usually has throughout the season. But he was in the locker room before practice and on the practice field with the team.
How is the NFL responding to Barmore & Diggs’ accusations?
The NFL said in a statement that both players, Christian Barmore and Stefon Diggs, would be eligible to play when the Patriots host the Dolphins. But the league is investigating the alleged incidents. He said players were being reviewed in accordance with the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This policy could subject both players to placement on the commissioner’s exempt list. If they were placed on this list, it would prevent them from practicing or playing games while the NFL investigates.
Teammates of Diggs and Barmore said it was business as usual as the team returned to the practice field.
“They’re our brothers no matter what. And at the end of the day, we’re focused on the Dolphins,” right tackle Morgan Moses said.
What did Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs do?
News of the charges against Stefon Diggs emerged after a court hearing Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Police say her personal boss told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to strangle her during a discussion about money. The Patriots expressed support for Diggs in a statement Tuesday after the allegations became public.
“We made a statement and we took the allegations very seriously,” coach Mike Vrabel said. “I don’t think we should jump to conclusions at this point. Let the process take its toll.”
Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” Meier called the allegations unsubstantiated and uncorroborated. A court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 23 for Diggs.
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AP Sports Editor Kyle Hightower and AP reporters Mike Casey and Mark Scolforo contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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