The biggest-name free agent acquisition for the New England Patriots this offseason, two-time All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs, is just getting settled with his new team.
After two games, Diggs has contributed, but has yet to make a significant impression, catching 10 passes in 12 attempts from second-year quarterback Drake Maye for just 89 yards. But while Diggs has yet to receive a touchdown pass from Maye, four of eight catches have gone for first downs.
That would seem to indicate that Maye sees Diggs — who is still getting his legs under him after surgery to repair a torn ACL less than a year ago — as a reliable option over the middle when the Patriots need a quick first down of more than five yards.
Big News Off the Field For Diggs
The 31-year-old Diggs would appear to definitely have his legs under him in his off-the-field existence. On Wednesday morning, his current girlfriend, hip-hop star Cardi B — whose given name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar — announced that she is expecting her fourth child, her first with Diggs.
As for Diggs, the child will be his second. His daughter, Nova, will turn nine years old on October 14. The identity of the girl’s mother has not been publicly confirmed though some reports have speculated that the mom is Los Angeles-based singer and actress Tyler-Marie. Neither the singer nor Diggs have commented publicly on the topic.
Diggs Previously Dated Ex-Member of Army Reserves
But the reported relationship with Tyler-Marie, if in fact there was one, was far from Diggs’ only previous romantic dalliance before he began dating Cardi B. The Patriots receiver is almost as notorious for his lengthy dating resumé as for his curriculum vitae as a football player.
Prior to his relationship with the “Bodak Yellow” rapper, one of Diggs’ most recent romantic partners appears to have been actress, Instagram influencer and former member of the United States Army Reserve, La’Shontae Heckard, who is often known by her nickname “Tae.”
Heckard Appeared in Numerous Music Videos
Heckard was born in Seoul, South Korea, on April 14, 1978, which makes her about 15 1/2 years older than Diggs. Though she has not revealed much information about her parents, she has said that her father is African-American, and her mother is Korean.
She has appeared in several films including the 2014 romantic comedy Getting Even and the 2006 drama ATL. But much of her acting work has come in music videos, for such artists as Busta Rhymes, Ne-Yo and Trippie Redd.
Heckard has managed to accumulate an impressive Instagram following of 939,000. On her IG page she decsribes herself as “Goofball, Genius, Witty and Hilarious.” She has previously been married to former journeyman NBA player Brandon Jennings who retired from the league in 2018 after nine seasons with five different teams. They have one child together.
Why Heckard Split With Diggs
So, why did Diggs and Heckard break up? Neither have spoken publicly about the matter, but at least according to a report by Black Sports Online, the reason was pretty much what one might expect give Diggs relationship track record.
