In the͏ fiercely competitive world of the NFL, respect among players often transcends team rivalries. A͏ recent example of͏ this came when Stefon Diggs, the star wide receiver newly acquired by the New England Patriots, shared a brief but meaningful message for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice.
People have been closely monitoring Diggs’ social media accounts following his throwback ode to Mike Vrabel, his new head coach in New England, as well as rumors of a romantic relationship with Cardi B. He was also spotted training with a few other star receivers in a post shared by Rice.
Stefon Diggs’ 2-Word Salute to Chiefs WR Rashee Rice
Diggs’ message read “HBD SCRAP” and showed the two wide receivers hanging out and throwing up peace signs. While the two-word birthday greeting was short, it made waves across NFL circles. Was there something more hidden in the post? Probably not.
Rice, entering his third season with the Chiefs, has shown tremendous promise after an impactful rookie year that saw him catch 79 balls for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. His 2024 campaign was a short one, seeing action in only four games before suffering a season-ending right knee injury.
Now, fully recovered, Rice is expected to take on a much larger role alongside Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Travis Kelce. He’ll also have the luxury of catching passes from three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes in 2025.
Happy Birthday, Scrap: A Message of Respect
A birthday nod from Diggs who is widely regarded as one of the league’s most respected veteran receivers sent a powerful message that the older generation is watching and rooting for the next wave of stars.
In NFL terminology, the word “scrap” often refers to a player with toughness, edge, and determination, a player who has earned respect through hard work. For Diggs to refer to Rice this way wasn’t just friendly banter; it was a signal of genuine respect. Despite team rivalries, this gesture reflects how NFL players continue to build relationships based on shared values and experiences.
Diggs and Rice have also trained together during a March workout session which was also attended by star receivers CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy, among others. Rice dropped a photo on Instagram to further showcase their bond.
As Rice works to recover from injury and prepare for an expanded role in the Chiefs’ offense, it’s nice to see him having the support of a proven receiver like Diggs. These ͏small social media moments can offer a ͏glimpse into the ͏culture of ͏the͏ NFL͏ ͏that fans don’t always see. It’s͏ not just about stats a͏͏nd͏ ͏rivalries. It’s about ͏the network o͏͏f mentorship͏, respect,͏ ͏and ͏shared grind ͏that connects ͏players.