Stefon Diggs made one of the biggest catches in NFL postseason history on Sunday. His 61-yard touchdown catch in the final moments of the NFC Divisional Round playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints made NFL history as the first walk-off touchdown in a postseason game.
Diggs’ improbable catch and run made him a household name this week, but in his legacy in the NFL is far more than one big playoff touchdown. In his third season in the league he’s steadily improved and made a name for himself with his fashion, both on and off the field.
Uproxx sat down with Diggs to talk about his style, why he hates ties, and what it’s been like working with Case Keenum as the Vikings put together a Super Bowl-caliber season.
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UPROXX: You guys have gone through a ton of injuries this season and played so well despite them. Are you surprised how resilient this team has been?
Stefon Diggs: I wouldn’t say I’m surprised. We work really hard over here as a unit to band together when adversity hits.
Case has stepped in and done such a great job with the offense. How long does it take to get a rapport with a quarterback so you’re comfortable? Is it practice time or game time or just going through a playbook with him?
I’d say it’s everything involved. He’s a vet quarterback so he’s been around the game a long time. He understands the game and knows that if you do everything in your power, if you do your job, it will kind of take care of itself.
I saw last month Richard Sherman wrote about you in The Players’ Tribune, and he called you a “Thundercat.” Did you see that?
Yeah, I managed to catch that. That was great. That was awesome, man. Especially him being one of the most respected DBs in the game, and the respect that everybody else has for him. The things he’s done in the league. He’s definitely well-respected, so for that to come from him was definitely nice to see.
When someone says nice things about you like that, how do you take that? Does it throw you off your game to hear an opponent say something like that?
I’m not a big praise guy but you always appreciate respect from guys who are respected. You take it as you’re doing what you’re supposed to do. Now you’ve got to keep it up.
You make a point to put your gameday styles on Instagram. Where do you get your fashion influences from?
I get my style from anywhere. What I see. You’d be surprised, I get a lot of my stuff from older men, or just kids walking down the street having their hoodies on kind of funny. It can be anything.
The NFL came to you and made you the face of their apparel collection. What does that mean to you to get that chance?
It was a great opportunity, because it’s something I’m definitely interested in. I love to dress well and be creative and put my own spin on things. Having this opportunity fall in my lap was the best because it goes with what I like to do.
When it comes to style among NFL players, it seems like there are two distinct groups: the players who wear team gear and sweats and don’t worry much about dressing up, and the ones who make it a point to get tailored suits and really explore the space. How do you think players come to fall into that second category?
It’s probably just what you like, what you like to wear. What I like to wear is how I feel in the moment, whether it’s real snug and comfortable or whether I want to dress up in a suit when I want to look nice. It all depends on the moment, really. Everybody’s different. It’s probably because of where you’re from or what you like to do.
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I’ve seen you wear a couple suits this year, and I noticed that you never wear a tie. Is this a phase for you or are you anti-tie?
Nah, I am an anti-tie guy because I like wearing suits, but I try not to get too serious. When I put a tie on, that’s when things get pretty serious so I try to stay with an open-collared shirt.
I know you’re also a guy that’s worn Supreme in the past. The NBA had a bit of a frenzy about it last month. How did you get into buying Supreme stuff? Anything crazy you’ve had to track down from them?
I’ve been wearing them for a long time. It’s kind of become a thing now, but that’s been around for a very, very long time. I can’t be wearing any of that stuff, like, on the field or anything like that. The NFL wouldn’t have that. But I’ve been on that, that’s kind of old (laughs). But I got some crazy stuff.
What’s the most you’ve spent on something from them? I know the secondary market is kind of crazy for some of that stuff. Have you bought anything used?
I try not to. When I do buy things it’s not going to be secondary [market], because it is so expensive. I try to hit it when it comes out. They had a drop almost every Saturday or so; I try to get it when it comes out rather than get it from somebody else. When you get it from someone on the secondary market it’s usually a few thousand dollars, but I haven’t spent that much.
Nike is supplying jerseys for the NFL, and they’re doing the same for the NBA. That’s where that shooting sleeve collaboration came from. Would you push for some NFL x Supreme gear?
I mean, that’d be dope. I think that would definitely be something I would be interested in. I try not to get too deep into that kind of stuff, especially with football, because fashion is the secondary thing I like to do, but if they can find a way to get it meshed together, I’d be more than excited.
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You’ve had some pretty impressive cleats you’ve worn the last few seasons: a Starbucks pair, and one where Randy Moss is mooning Packers fans. Do you have a favorite pair?
Probably my Starbucks ones. I love Starbucks, it’s like my favorite thing in the world. I’m an every two days or every day Starbucks guy. But I didn’t actually get to wear my Starbucks cleats.
I saw you had a pair of Wheel of Fortune ones, too. Do you watch the show a lot?
You wanna hear a funny story? It was my grandfather’s favorite show. He always used to put on Wheel of Fortune. So I was thinking of my grandfather and I thought ‘Why not do something for him?’
He also liked, what is it, Walker, Texas Ranger? Do you remember that show? That was his second-favorite show so I had to pick between those two and I picked Wheel of Fortune.
Maybe next season you can do a Walker, Texas Ranger pair?
In due time.
