NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after a celebratory gesture on the field was perceived by many as ill-timed, coming just moments after his partner, the rapper Cardi B, publicly announced the birth of their son.
A Joyful Announcement and Immediate Backlash
Cardi B confirmed the arrival of their baby boy in an Instagram post last Thursday. The 33-year-old music artist, who gave birth the previous week, shared the news alongside a video of herself in a stylish black outfit. She described this period as a new chapter in her life, writing, 'Starting over is never easy but it's been so worth it!... A new baby into my world, and one more reason to be the best version of me.'
The announcement coincided with Diggs preparing to play for the New England Patriots against the New York Jets. However, the focus quickly shifted from the birth when, during the first quarter, Diggs caught a pass from quarterback Drake Maye. In a move that instantly went viral, he then handed the football to a Patriots cheerleader on the sidelines.
Social Media Erupts Over Perceived Insensitivity
The clip of the interaction spread rapidly across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), drawing sharp criticism from fans and analysts alike. Many questioned the player's judgement, suggesting the action was disrespectful so soon after the birth announcement.
Among the high-profile critics was former Patriots Super Bowl winner and current NFL analyst Jason McCourty. He posted the clip online with the caption, 'Bruh what’s wrong with Stefon Diggs,' encapsulating the confusion and disapproval felt by many viewers.
The court of public opinion was swift and severe. One Amazon Prime viewer commented, 'Bro knows what he's doing at this point,' while another directly addressed Cardi B, writing, 'Cardi, get your man. He out her again.' A third simply stated, 'Cardi just had the baby,' highlighting the core of the issue for many observers.
Context of the Couple and the Game
This child is the first together for Diggs and Cardi B. Diggs is already a father to an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Cardi B is already a mother of three—seven-year-old Kulture, four-year-old Wave, and one-year-old Blossom—whom she shares with her ex-partner, Offset.
The couple went public with their relationship in May 2025, not long after Diggs signed a lucrative three-year contract with the Patriots worth up to $69million. Cardi B has shown her support from the stands before, making a surprise appearance in Patriots owner Robert Kraft's VIP suite earlier in the month.
On the field, Diggs had a lively start to the Thursday night game, being aggressively tackled by an opponent, which resulted in a penalty. Yet, it was his celebratory hand-off, not his athletic performance, that dominated the post-game conversation and left his judgement under intense public scrutiny.
