Christian Barmore’s Arraignment Delayed, Cleared to Play in Super Bowl
As the New England Patriots prepare for their Super Bowl clash with the Seattle Seahawks, one of their key defensive contributors, Christian Barmore, will be available to play - at least for now. The defensive tackle’s arraignment on a misdemeanor domestic assault and battery charge has been pushed back to March, clearing the way for him to suit up in San Francisco.
Barmore, 26, was originally scheduled to appear in court on February 3, just five days before the biggest game of the season. But according to court records, a judge granted a request from Barmore’s attorney to delay the arraignment until March 9. The motion cited the need for more time to properly prepare for the hearing.
The charge stems from an alleged incident in early August, which wasn’t reported until later that month. According to a criminal complaint filed on December 18, Barmore’s former partner told police that during a dispute in his home, he became physically aggressive after an argument over the thermostat.
She claimed that after she brought their daughter into the room to see him, Barmore responded by picking up the child, placing her outside the bedroom, and slamming the door. The situation reportedly escalated when he allegedly took her phone during a call to her mother, and as she tried to leave the home, he grabbed her and threw her to the floor.
The woman also told police that a vehicle arranged by the team later transported her and the child to Delaware.
Barmore, a former second-round pick out of Alabama, has been a major presence on New England’s defensive line this season. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, he’s a disruptive force in the trenches - the kind of player who can shift the momentum of a game with a single snap. His availability for the Super Bowl is undoubtedly a boost for the Patriots’ defense, but it comes under the shadow of serious allegations that remain unresolved.
The Patriots released a statement acknowledging they were aware of the situation when it occurred and that the league had been notified. No further public comments have been made by the team or Barmore.
Meanwhile, Barmore isn't the only high-profile player on the Patriots roster facing legal issues. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is also dealing with a legal matter after being accused of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with an alleged incident involving his personal chef last month.
Diggs, who is in a relationship with rapper Cardi B, has denied the allegations through a team statement. According to MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels, Diggs described the situation as “an emotional time” and emphasized that it’s an open case, limiting what he could say publicly. His arraignment, originally scheduled for January 23, has also been moved - now set for five days after the Super Bowl.
With both cases still pending, the Patriots find themselves navigating a delicate balance between on-field focus and off-field scrutiny. As the team prepares for its biggest game of the year, these legal matters loom large in the background - unresolved, but impossible to ignore.