WNBA star Skylar Diggins has publicly addressed the personal challenges she is facing, describing herself as 'God's strongest soldier' as she navigates an ongoing divorce from her husband, former American football player Daniel Smith.
Emotional Social Media Revelation
In a candid post on Instagram, the Seattle Storm guard shared the emotional toll of the past year. 'Been doing everything BY MYSLF for over a year now,' she wrote, using a deliberate spelling of 'myself'. 'Just me and my babies (and the help of my mom/dad.) THAT'S IT!'
Diggins elaborated on the struggles of balancing her professional life with single parenthood, stating she has been 'Working, paying the bills, being a present mother and battling through a lot of unknowns…' She poignantly concluded the message with the declaration: 'God's strongest soldier 2025.'
Timeline of a Marriage Breakdown
Diggins and Smith, who played football for the University of Notre Dame, tied the knot in April 2017. The couple went on to welcome two children together. However, cracks began to show publicly when Diggins asked media members to refer to her by her maiden name, 'Diggins', rather than 'Diggins-Smith', hinting at a separation.
The legal process began in earnest when it was reported in March of this year that Diggins had officially filed for divorce. Further claims suggested the couple had actually parted ways in November of the previous year.
A Turbulent Year On and Off the Court
The personal strife has coincided with professional controversy for the six-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medallist. Earlier this year, Diggins faced significant backlash from fans for an on-court incident involving Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
At the conclusion of a game, Clark was celebrating with home fans when Diggins appeared to speed up and deliberately bump into her. The 'cheap shot', as labelled by many supporters, was widely criticised on social media, with some accusing Diggins of jealousy towards Clark's meteoric rise and popularity.
As her divorce proceedings continue, Diggins is evidently channelling her focus into resilience, both as a mother and a top-tier athlete, leaning on her faith to steer her through this difficult chapter.
