Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is having a great season, but he’s much more than a productive player.
In his second campaign, Stefon Diggs has become one of the better players in the NFL. Diggs, 23, has 78 catches for 861 yards this year, leading Minnesota in both categories.
However, Diggs is far from satisfied. Without quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson, all hope seemed lost prior to the season. Despite those injuries, Minnesota has rallied behind a crushing defense and ball-control offense. The Virginia native is trying to get the Vikings into the playoffs for the second consecutive year, something that seemed outlandish after the team went from 5-0 to 5-5.
“I got 100 percent confidence in my guys,” Diggs said. “We never lost confidence and had a couple games that didn’t go our way over a few plays.”
The Vikings can get back into the NFC playoff picture with a win this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, coupled with some help. Minnesota may only need to hold on a bit longer, with rumors swirling that Peterson could return for its Week 16 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.
Unfortunately, a return for Bridgewater won’t be until 2017, at the earliest. The Louisville product sustained a gruesome broken leg in the preseason, and continues to work his way back. While Bridgewater is not near the team, Diggs maintains a close relationship with him.
“I talk to Teddy all the time,” Diggs said. “That’s not just my teammate he’s my close friend, he’s like a brother to me. He’s doing rehab and getting much better.”
Without Bridgewater, Minnesota sent a first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford. The former first-overall pick has been inconsistent behind a brutal offensive line this year, but has found a consistent target in Diggs. On pace for more than 1,000 receiving yards, the second-year pro has continued to hone his skills.
“I have been around and I’ve experienced a whole season, I know how to prepare and I knew what I wanted to get,” Diggs said. I’m just trying to keep it up.”
Off the field, Diggs has been an All-Pro. The 23-year-old is involved with the Pillsbury United Communities, a non-profit organization with a goal of helping the youth within inner cities. Diggs, who grew up in a suburb of Washington D.C., identifies with the challenges these youngsters face.
“It’s huge to me as far as trying to make an impact in any ways I can was one of those kids who had dreams,” Diggs said. “Me impacting the youth and their future is huge to me, bettering them in school.”
Diggs is making an impact on the field, but it pales in comparison to what he’s doing away from it.
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