Emotional Stefon Diggs Celebrates Patriots’ AFC Title

For the first time in his career, Stefon Diggs is going to the Super Bowl.

The New England Patriots captured their first AFC title in seven years with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos. After the game, Diggs teared up while reflecting on his season with NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

While Diggs settled for 17 receiving yards in the AFC Championship Game, he led the Patriots with 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards after returning from a torn ACL. The 32-year-old credited Drake Maye, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Mike Vrabel for making his comeback possible.

“I’m just so proud of this team,” Diggs said. “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 — we got one more.”

Diggs is grateful to have justified the three-year contract New England gave him last offseason while silencing any doubters who didn’t expect the 11-year pro to return strong from a significant injury.

“They were calling me washed, said I don’t have it no more,” Diggs said. “I just wanted to prove it to myself: I am who I say I am. (Eliot Wolf) took a chance on me. This team took a chance on me. I just wanted to make them proud … I had a real journey. I’m just thankful to be where I’m at.”

Meanwhile, Diggs raised his voice and spoke with extra fervor when asked about Maye.

“That’s a soldier! That’s an MVP,” Diggs declared. “That’s a guy that stands his toes, battles through adversity. He’s a hell of a player. I’m riding with Drake Maye. I’m thankful to have a quarterback like that, and I’m gonna give him everything I got every time.”

Diggs and the Patriots have two weeks to prepare for Super Bowl LX at Santa Clara.