After scoring his first touchdown in a New England Patriots uniform during a win against the Cleveland Browns, wide receiver Stefon Diggs celebrated with teammates, coaches, and then the crowd at Gillette Stadium.
He stood in front of the home team bench, facing the fans, and smiled while pumping his right fist in the air.
As the crowd gave him a well-deserved ovation, he grinned ear to ear and turned around to find Dr. Michael Akinbola, whose smile was just as genuine.
The two men embraced after performing their special, choreographed handshake celebration. As Diggs would reveal later in the week, the star's first touchdown ball would be dedicated to Dr. Akinbola and the rest of New England's training staff.
"The first touchdown ball went to the training room so shoutout to them," Diggs told media Wednesday afternoon. "They helped me up to this point – getting me right."
The win against the Browns came just one shy of the anniversary of Diggs' torn ACL.
He collapsed after the non-contact injury on Oct. 27, 2024, while playing for the Houston Texans, and his health remained a concern all offseason for teams weighing whether they should sign him in free agency.
Ultimately, Diggs signed with New England. Through eight weeks of the NFL's regular season, neither party has shown any sign of regret as he's emerged into the leader the Patriots wide receiver room has yearned for.
As Diggs pointed out Wednesday, the Patriots training staff deserves a lot of credit for getting him healthy. Over months of rehab, Diggs promised that whenever his first touchdown came, the ball was going to the man who helped him get back on the field.
"It was an ongoing process," Diggs said.
"We always talk about me touching the paint, so I said that the first one was going to them. We put in a lot of work."
That work has resulted in Diggs starting in all eight games thus far. On 42 receptions he's accumulated 470 yards and is averaging 11.2 yards per catch.
When that first touchdown finally came, the training staff felt fortunate to play their role in making it possible.
"Stefon bringing us the football from his first-ever touchdown as a Patriot was an awesome gesture," said Dr. Akinbola, the Patriots director of rehab/physical therapist.
"We're humbled that he chose to acknowledge and celebrate with us. We're grateful to be part of his comeback story, and proud of him for the leadership, hard work, and energy he brings every day. Excited to keep building and see what more this season has to offer."
According to Diggs, it won't be the last touchdown ball dedicated to the training staff. He insinuated Wednesday that his second will go to the member of the training staff who helped him the most.
Time will tell who that is, but it's symbolic of all that goes on behind-the-scenes to help athletes perform.
"The fellowship and culture in football is amazing," said Dr. Akinbola.
"It's a rewarding and fulfilling challenge to help our athletes get healthy, stay healthy, and perform well. We love what we do."
