FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Stefon Diggs said he kept his mind on football after authorities revealed this week that the Patriots wide receiver had been charged with strangulation and other criminal offenses related to an alleged dispute with his former private chef.
Diggs credited that focus with helping him notch a personal milestone as the playoff-bound Patriots closed out the regular season with a 38-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
With a 34-yard reception on the final play of the third quarter, Diggs surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in a season for the seventh time in his career.
It was a satisfying conclusion for the 32-year-old, who tore his right ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season with the Houston Texans, raising questions about whether he could still be a No. 1 wideout.
“Stay grounded and stay focused. I’ve gotten 1,000 yards before, but this is the most meaningful one that I’ve had, coming off an injury,” Diggs said after he finished with 43 yards on three catches against the Dolphins. “I went into this season trying to be the best teammate and leader that I could be and let the cards fall where they may. I was in a dark space when I was hurt. I couldn’t do the thing that I loved the most, but the grass is definitely greener on the other side. You’ve just got to get there.”
Several Patriots teammates rushed over to congratulate Diggs when he returned to the sideline. As important as he’s been to New England’s offense, the contributions he’s made in the locker room — particularly as a mentor to his fellow receivers — have stood out to coach Mike Vrabel, who noted that Diggs typically sits in the front row during team meetings.
“There’s an energy to him. Been out there and available. He’s taken care of his body,” Vrabel said. “Plus, the production has been fantastic. I’m glad that we have him.”
Through his attorney, Diggs has denied all wrongdoing in the criminal case. He said minimizing the off-field distractions of this past week was easier because of the culture inside New England’s locker room.
“We don’t worry about anything going on outside of football,” Diggs said. “When you come into this building, you put your work hat on and go to work.”
Diggs joined a franchise that was coming off back-to-back four-win seasons. Now, he’s part of a 14-win team that earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.
“I knew they had a good, young quarterback. I knew (Vrabel) was an amazing coach and that (offensive coordinator) Josh McDaniels knew how to draw it up," Diggs said. “When I got around the receivers, I was surprised at how gifted they were. I’m excited for the challenges ahead of us.”
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New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs warms up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
PHOENIX (AP) — Madison Booker has led Texas' offense all season, so it was little surprise that she hit a jumper less than a minute into the game to give the Longhorns an early two-point lead.
It was the last shot she would make for more than three quarters.
The AP All-America forward missed her next 17 attempts from the field as the Longhorns fell to UCLA 51-44 on Friday night in the national semifinals of the women's Final Four.
Booker recovered somewhat in the final minutes as the Longhorns made a frantic push, contributing a pair of baskets to help cut the deficit to 47-44 with less than 30 seconds remaining. The rally ended when Booker was stuffed by UCLA's 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts on a driving layup with 20 seconds remaining.
After the game, Booker was at a loss to explain why she struggled.
“It did surprise me when I couldn’t get out of my funk because every shot I put up it felt like it was going to be money," Booker said. “I wish a few more fell in, not just for me but for my teammates, too.”
Trailing 49-44 in the final seconds, Booker slipped and fell to the ground while trying to make a play, ending a night to forget. She finished 3 of 23 from the field, missing all four of her 3-point attempts, and had six points. She came into the game averaging more than 19 points per game on 52.3% shooting.
UCLA guard Gianna Kneepkens played with Booker on Team USA and said she's “an incredible player." She praised her Bruins teammates for doing a good job defensively.
“She can hit those,” Kneepkens said of Booker. “I think we kind of pushed her out a little bit farther and made those very difficult for her.”
It's the second straight year Booker's season has ended with a disappointing game. She had just 11 points and one rebound while fighting foul trouble in a 74-57 loss to South Carolina in last year's national semifinals.
The loss wasn't all Booker's fault as the Longhorns struggled offensively the entire night. Texas shot just 30.8% from the field and only one player — Kyla Oldacre — finished in double figures with 11 points.
“I actually have no idea,” she said about the team's offensive problems. “Lauren Betts — she’s 6-7. I think her length bothered (us) a little.”
Texas was one of the hottest teams in the country coming into the Final Four, riding a 12-game winning streak into Friday’s game. During that stretch, the Longhorns beat fellow Final Four participant South Carolina by 17 points in the SEC Tournament championship and crushed Michigan 77-41 in the Elite Eight.
It's another disappointment for Texas coach Vic Schaefer, who was trying to lead the Longhorns to their second national title and first since 1986. Schaefer has personally coached in four Final Fours — two with Mississippi State and two with Texas — but hasn't been able to take home a championship.
Schaefer said the Longhorns had too many moments where they did things that were out of character.
“Sometimes in this moment things happen," Schaefer said. "We came out of a timeout on two different occasions and people were in the wrong place. I’ll wear the responsibility on that — obviously I didn’t convey it right in the huddle.”
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) reacts after Texas lost to UCLA in a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) scramble for the ball during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and Texas guard Ashton Judd (21) celebrate against UCLA during the second half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) scramble for the ball during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives against Texas forward Madison Booker (35) during the first half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) drives against UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
