Growing up in Maryland, former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back and now Dallas Cowboys star Trevon Diggs was fueled by competition. He had two older brothers to play with while his mother worked hard to put food on the table for the growing boys. Each one of them turned into great American football players, but one thing was always missing: Their father.
Aron Diggs passed away in January 2008 from congestive heart failure when he was just 39 years old, never getting to see his sons play in the National Football League. Stefon Diggs, the former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver who was traded to the Buffalo Bills, was only 14 at the time. He was the oldest, though, and suddenly had to become the man of the house. The oldest of Diggs' sons had to become a father figure to his brother Trevon.
Over the years, the 24-year-old Trevon had to lean on his older brother for guidance, especially as the cornerback became a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Trevon Diggs' Brother Stefon Diggs
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Yep, the Diggs have some good football genes in them.
Trevon's brother, who is 27, is Pro Bowl and All-Pro Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who led the NFL in both receiving yards (1,535) and receptions (127) in 2020. Stefon was a star receiver at Maryland before blossoming into an even bigger star with the Minnesota Vikings.
Trevon & Stefon Diggs' Dad Passed Away at 39
Trevon Diggs on being a Cowboys fan: ?My dad was a Cowboys fan before he passed. He had always been a Cowboys fan. Every time the Cowboys came on, sometimes he cheered, sometimes he was angry. But that was our team. It?s amazing this happened. I?m kind of living out his dream.?
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 25, 2020
RELATED: Jerry Jeudy's Mother & Sister's Tragedy Shaped The Future NFL Star
Trevon Diggs was only 10 when his father passed away unexpectedly. Stephanie Diggs became a single mother. Brothers Stefon Diggs, Mar'Sean Diggs (aka Darez) and Trevon, as well as sister Porche Green, would have to grow up without their dad. It was hard, but the family made it through the tough times.
Stefon played college football at Maryland and was a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mar'Sean played defensive back at UAB. Trevon wrapped up an All-SEC and All-American career in 2019 under head coach Nick Saban at Alabama. As a second-year cornerback for the Cowboys in 2021, he totaled at least one interception in each of his first six games, become the fourth player in NFL history to do so.
6 games. 7 interceptions.
Let's take a look at the ridiculous season @TrevonDiggs is having so far.
Week 1: Right place, right time. pic.twitter.com/XTiLnUarUI
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2021
Through all the family's hardships, Stefon was right there as a father figure to help his younger brothers.
"[Stefon] is like my dad, honestly. He was there for me when my father passed, so he has always taken care of me. I always ask him everything, no matter what. Two o'clock in the morning, I'm asking him questions. I called him last night, every day, about this process and how he managed it," Trevon told ESPN about the NFL Draft.
Although he was not a first-round pick like some of his teammates — Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins), Jedrick Wills (Cleveland Browns), Henry Ruggs III (Las Vegas Raiders) and Jerry Jeudy (Denver Broncos) — or like many projected in mock drafts, he's proving every team who passed on him made a mistake with hardwork in the offseason and hard-nosed play in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Also, grab some tissues and watch this beautiful video that Stefon made before Trevon was drafted. It is one of the most heartwarming things you'll see today. But, like we said, tissues are a must.
Trevon Diggs College Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a—VOJAn8n0
After a standout high school career at The Avalon School, Trevon Diggs committed to the University of Alabama. He played wide receiver as a freshman in 2016, scoring one touchdown and adding nearly 300 yards combined on kick and punt returns, before making the switch to defensive back.
By the time he was playing in his last season in Tuscaloosa, after suiting up for all four years for the Tide, Diggs was a household name all on his own. He made 20 tackles while also recording eight pass deflections, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also had six kickoff returns for 117 yards on special teams.
Diggs worked on the little things to make him great, and it's why the cornerback is solidifying himself as an All-Pro and Pro Bowl player in his second season. Hopefully, he'll go up against his wide receiver brother soon.
"The little brother always wins," Trevon told ESPN.
No matter what happens at the next level, or when that will come amidst the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak, the Diggs brothers will always have each other and the memories of their dad every step of the way.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs is well on his way to winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year if he keeps up his interception ways against NFC East teams like the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team and teams like the Seahawks, Titans, Bears, Chargers and Panthers. Quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Josh Allen better beware. All the while, the Cowboys cornerback will be cheered on by his son, Aaiden Diggs, from the stands, along with thousands of other Cowboys fans around the country.
The Dallas Cowboys have themselves a budding star in Texas, and part of the reason is because the Diggs family supported each other along the way.
This post was originally published on April 24, 2020.
