What is the relation between Vontae Diggs and Stefon Diggs?
Vontae Diggs and Stefon Diggs are not related, but they have a special connection. Both men attended the same high school in Dublin, Ga. Vontae graduated from Redeemer Christian School in 2011, while Stefon graduated in 2013. Vontae Diggs was an athletic standout at Redeemer Christian School and starred as a wide receiver for the University of Louisville Cardinals football team from 2011 to 2013. During his final year at Louisville, Diggs shared quarters with redshirt freshman tailback-wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The younger Diggs would burst onto the scene during Vontae’s final season at UofL, catching 52 passes for 715 yards and six touchdowns. On Oct. 19, 2015 — one year after Vontae’s graduation from UofL — the Vikings selected Stefon in the fifth round (146th overall) of the NFL draft…
Background of Vontae Diggs
Vontae Diggs attended the same high school in Dublin, Ga. where Stefon Diggs played football. Like many of us, Vontae grew up and matured during his high school years — going from a 140-pound freshman to a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior. He earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior and senior, and was named defensive player of the year as a senior. After high school, Diggs attended the University of Louisville and played for their Cardinals football team. Diggs played at U of L from 2011-13, and is most known for his touchdown catch against UGA in 2012.
Stefon Diggs’s Big Break
Stefon Diggs redshirted his first year at Louisville, but still made an impact on the team as a scout team wide receiver. During practice and scrimmage sessions, Diggs would run routes opposite Vontae Diggs, who was Louisville’s No. 1 wide receiver. While this provided a great challenge for Vontae and Louisville’s defense, it also created a great opportunity for Stefon. Being able to break off routes and run patterns against a future NFL player gave Diggs a chance to see what it would be like to play against other top-level athletes at the next level. As a redshirt freshman Diggs played in all 13 games, with six of his receptions resulting in touchdowns. He finished the season with a total of 52 receptions, 715 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns. Diggs’s breakout year helped propel Louisville to a 12-1 record and a spot in the 2014 Sugar Bowl.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
After Vontae and Stefon graduated, they lost touch with one another. That is, until Vontae’s sister, Shalina, got word that her little brother had made it to the NFL. Shalina decided to reach out to Stefon on social media, thanking him for being an inspiration to her brother and helping him reach his dreams. Shalina asked if her and her brother could do anything to say thanks, and if maybe they could get a jersey or something. Shalina didn’t expect to get a response back — she just wanted to thank Diggs for all that he had meant to her brother. Stefon Diggs, however, had a different idea. He asked Shalina if her brother had a car. Shalina said no, wondering why that would even matter. In response, Stefon said, “then I’ll buy it for him.”
Conclusion
The relationship between Vontae Diggs and Stefon Diggs is one of great appreciation. Shalina Diggs reached out to Diggs with gratitude and appreciation, and Diggs repaid the favor to an extent that many people would not be able to do. Shalina had a close connection with her brother and his achievements and accomplishments, and her decision to reach out to Stefon was a fitting tribute to her brother’s greatness. In return, Stefon’s generosity demonstrated that he, too, saw the greatness in Vontae.
