"They were calling me washed”: Stefon Diggs breaks down after Patriots reach Super Bowl LX

On January 25, 2026, the New England Patriots secured their place in Super Bowl LX. The final score mattered. But above all, the emotion did. For Stefon Diggs, the moment unfolded slowly, then all at once.As the clock expired in Denver, Diggs stood near midfield trying to process it. This was not just another playoff win. Instead, it marked the end of a long comeback. By the time he reached the interview area, the weight of the season finally showed.The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday night. The game stayed tight from start to finish. Both defenses controlled the pace. As a result, every possession carried pressure.Steffon Diggs finished with five receptions for 17 yards. The numbers did not stand out. Still, his presence shaped the game. Denver shaded coverage toward him all night, which opened space elsewhere in the offense.Moments later, Diggs spoke during a live on-field postgame television interview on January 25. Almost immediately, his voice cracked.“I’m just so proud of this team, man,” Diggs said during the AFC Championship postgame interview. “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.”Then, Diggs addressed the criticism that followed him throughout the season.“They were calling me washed,” he said in the same interview. “Saying I didn’t have it no more. I just wanted to prove 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.”That doubt traced back to 2024. Diggs suffered a torn ACL while playing for the Houston Texans, ending his season early. Because of that injury, questions followed him into free agency. However, the Patriots believed the risk was worth it.Earlier in the 2025 season, off-field issues brought more scrutiny. Nevertheless, Diggs stayed available and productive. He played all 17 regular-season games and led New England with 85 receptions and 1,013 receiving yards.Previously, Diggs had lost two conference championship games with the Bills and Vikings. This time, the outcome changed. As a result, the Patriots now head to Super Bowl LX. More importantly, Diggs arrives there with proof that the doubts did not define him.