Stefon and Trevon Diggs form one of the most dominant pairs of brothers in the NFL. On the field they would be direct opponents, but apart from that they have an unusually strong bond, especially since the death of their father. A story of loss, responsibility – and a big dream

Munich – The NFL writes sporting headlines every game day. Touchdowns, spectacular catches, field goal records, comeback victories – the whole programme.

Nothing else should be expected, after all, we are talking about the best football league in the world, where almost 2,000 model athletes spur each other on to top performances week after week.

But the NFL also tells those other stories time and again. The ones that go beyond the purely sporting. The ones that give us “goosebumps on our butts”, as Markus Kuhn likes to say.

Because, let’s not forget, the almost 2,000 model athletes, who sometimes resemble robots on the field, are still almost 2,000 people. Each with their own story.

This is the story of Stefon and Trevon Diggs.

A new brother and sister duo for the NFL

Two brothers. One: Wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills. The other: Cornerback with the Dallas Cowboys.

Pairs of brothers are not uncommon in the NFL, and there are also some current “family bands”: Joey and Nick Bosa, for example, Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, or J.J., T.J. and Derek Watt. All of them extremely interesting personalities who also made the football field shake more than once.

But it’s the Diggs who are currently making the sporting headlines. Have apparently set out to dominate the NFL offensively as well as defensively.

The older of the two, Stefon, has been among the elite pass receivers for years. The 27-year-old has three seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards behind him, in 2020 it was even 1,535. And Diggs has already collected 26 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown in the current season.

His younger brother, Trevon, once also a wide receiver, is exploding in his second year in the NFL. The 23-year-old, drafted 51st overall by Dallas in 2020, already has five interceptions to his credit – more than 29 of the 31 teams not named Cowboys.

Most interceptions this season:
1st Cowboys: 7
2nd Saints: 6
T-3rd Trevon Diggs: 5
T-3rd Bills: 5
T-5th 3 teams with 4

– Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 3, 2021

Stefon and Trevon both caught at least one pass in each of the four games so far with this. A nice little statistic that I’m sure the brothers are happy to share.

Most interceptions this season:
1st Cowboys: 7
2nd Saints: 6
T-3rd Trevon Diggs: 5
T-3rd Bills: 5
T-5th 3 teams with 4

– Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 3, 2021

Papa Stefon

But – of course – the Diggs are connected by more than just sport. Much more.

Like so many older brothers, Stefon looked out for Trevon at a young age. Not just because he wanted to. He also had to.

The Diggs – four siblings in all – lost their father Aron in January 2008, when Stefon was just 14. Heart failure. Not only for Trevon, but also for his other little brother, Darez, who is two years younger, Stefon grew into the role of father in the time that followed.

“Stefon is kind of my dad,” Trevon revealed to “ESPN” before his draft. “He was there for me after he passed, always took care of me. I can ask him anything, anything at all. Even at two in the morning.”

Darez, a former defensive back in college and a 2019 Vikings tryout, told “TwinCities.com”, “He took us under his wing, guided us, took care of us, was there for us when we needed him. Everything. Being a brother and a father is tough. It’s a lot to ask of someone so young. “

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS 😈!!!
Rest In Peace! 🙏🙌👼.. pic.twitter.com/fM1TsP6KBG

– Diggs (@TrevonDiggs) October 24, 2015

“Superwoman” – Stefon’s Biggest Fan

Taking responsibility is something Stefon learned from his mother Stephanie, whom he affectionately calls “Superwoman”: “I have a very close relationship with her. My mum taught me so much, showed me what it means to be self-reliant.”

The closeness to his family in Virginia was also the decisive reason for Stefon’s decision in 2012 to play for the University of Maryland and the Terrapins, for whom he played until 2014.

In 2015, the big step into the NFL followed – the Minnesota Vikings drafted Stefon in the fifth round. A great day for the family, especially for mother Stephanie, his “biggest fan”.

Peu a peu, he developed there into a reliable pass receiver who does not shy away from responsibility even in big moments. Like on that history-making day in January 2018, when Stefon made the “Minneapolis Miracle” possible with his legendary touchdown catch in the final second in the Divisional Playoffs against the New Orleans Saints.

And his family, for whom he had previously performed so many miracles, proudly.

“Do what’s best for your life “

It was actions like these, moments of moving forward, that marked Trevon. And never once did he fail to ask his big brother for advice. When he had to decide on a college in 2016, many said – rather: demanded – that he should go to Maryland, like Stefon.

But he said, “Do what’s best for your life.” Trevon went to Alabama, switched positions from receiver to cornerback – also after consulting his brother – and won the national college championship in 2018. The defining step on the road to the NFL.

Even though Trevon is now making athletic headlines himself in the best football league in the world, well on his way to being a role model in turn, for an entire generation of budding cornerbacks – Stefon will always be his idol. His father figure.

The big dream

Unless the two meet one day in the NFL. Then the brotherhood rests, at least for 60 minutes.

The direct duel on the big stage is Stefon’s big dream, says Trevon. Receiver against cornerback. Brother against brother. Diggs against Diggs.

Trevon is sure of one thing for this one, by the way: “Little brother wins. Always.”

He doesn’t even have to ask Stefon for advice beforehand.