New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he’s confident criminal cases against receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore won’t be a distraction for his team. This week, the team is chasing the AFC’s top seed in the playoffs. Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. And Christian Barmore is facing a misdemeanor domestic assault and battery charge after his girlfriend filed a report against him.
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What Happened Between Christian Barmore & His Girlfriend?
Christian Barmore’s girlfriend told police on August 25 that he threw her to the ground three weeks earlier at his home outside Boston. A criminal complaint was issued on Dec. 18.
According to the Associated Press, the woman told police she took their daughter early the morning of Aug. 8 into Barmore’s bedroom. At the time, Barmore was upset because the thermostat was 2 degrees warmer than he preferred. She said their daughter wanted to see him. But, she said Barmore “picked up the child, placed her on the floor just outside the master bedroom, turned back into the room and slammed the door shut,” according to police. As the woman packed her belongings to leave later in the day, Christian Barmore took the phone from her hand and disconnected a call with the woman’s mother, according to the criminal complaint. When she headed for the front door to call for help, police said, Barmore allegedly “grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor.” Additionally, Barmore grabbed her by the shirt but “eventually let go” and the woman got up, she told police. A car the Patriots provided picked up the woman and their daughter and drove them to Delaware. She provided police with a photo showing bruises she said occurred when she was thrown to the floor.
Stefon Diggs’ lawyer, David Meier, also represents Barmore. The attorney issued a statement Wednesday (Dec. 31) saying the evidence in the Barmore case “will demonstrate that no criminal conduct took place.” The 26-year-old’s arraignment is scheduled for early February.
Patriots Head Coach Says Charges Won’t Affect Team’s Game
The New England Patriots are currently 13-3 and have already wrapped up their first AFC East title since 2019. With a victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and a loss or tie by the Denver Broncos against the Chargers, New England would also secure the conference’s top seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye.
“I think these are allegations. … Things that we have to handle,” Coach Mike Vrabel said. “Every day there are distractions, some are smaller than others. I’m confident that we’ll focus on the Dolphins. And those two individuals (Diggs and Barmore) will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.”
Coach Vrabel said Christian Barmore is dealing with an illness and was not with the team for practice on Wednesday (Dec. 31). Meanwhile, Diggs didn’t speak with reporters Wednesday as he has typically done throughout the season. But he was in the locker room prior to practice and on the practice field with the team.
How Is The NFL Reacting To Barmore & Diggs’ Charges?
The NFL said in a statement that both players, Christian Barmore and Stefon Diggs, are eligible to play when the Patriots host the Dolphins. But the league is looking into the alleged incidents. It said the players are being reviewed under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. That policy could subject both players to placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. If placed on that list, it would prevent them from practicing or playing in games while the NFL investigates.
Diggs and Barmore’s teammates said things were 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 on Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. According to police, his personal chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money. The Patriots voiced their support for Diggs in a statement on Tuesday after the allegations became public.
“We’ve made a statement and we’ve taken the allegations very seriously,” Coach Mike Vrabel said. “I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let the process take its toll.”
Diggs’ lawyer, David Meier, said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” Meier described the allegations as unsubstantiated and uncorroborated. A court arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23 for Diggs.
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AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower and AP reporters Mike Casey and Mark Scolforo contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
