Patriots WR Stefon Diggs emotional after reaching first career Super Bowl, years after watching Chiefs from opposite sideline

Stefon Diggs stood on the field completely alone five years ago, watching the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate their AFC championship win over his Buffalo Bills.

Naturally, when Diggs finally broke through to earn his first trip to a Super Bowl on Sunday afternoon with the New England Patriots, he was incredibly emotional.

“It made it all worth it, man. All the hard work. We’ve got one more,” Diggs said, fighting back tears. “I just want to rejoice and take this moment in, and just be thankful for God. It’s hard, man.”

Diggs and the Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 10-7 in a snowy battle on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High to secure a trip to Super Bowl LX. It marks the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance since the Tom Brady era. Diggs had five catches for 17 yards in the win.

Diggs is wrapping up his 11th season in the league. He signed a three-year, $63.5 million deal with the Patriots this past offseason despite his last stop — a one-season stint with the Houston Texans — ending prematurely. Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8 of last season.

Diggs has already proven himself as one of the better wide receivers in NFL history. He has seven seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, and he set several team and NFL records during his time with the Bills. He’s one of just four players in league history to rack up four straight seasons with at least 100 receptions. He had 1,013 yards and four touchdowns this season.

“They was calling me washed, said I ain’t have it no more. I just wanted to prove it to myself, I am who I say I am. … This team took a chance on me. I just wanted to make them proud,” Diggs said.

But until Sunday, the Super Bowl eluded him. Sunday was Diggs’ 17th playoff game of his career, and his third time in a conference title game. During the 2020 season, his last time in a conference championship game, Diggs remained on the field at Arrowhead Stadium to just watch the festivities after his team was eliminated.

Now, at long last, with Drake Maye leading the offense, Diggs will finally have the opportunity to claim a ring.