Wait. Stop. Before you go looking for a jersey with "Almánzar" on the back or checking the NFL draft boards for a 5-foot-3 rapper from the Bronx, let’s get one thing straight. Cardi B is not a football player. Not professionally, anyway.
If you've seen the headlines lately, you’re probably confusing a few different things that have collided in a perfect storm of internet chaos. Basically, Cardi B has become the NFL's most talked-about "WAG" (Wives and Girlfriends) after her high-profile relationship with Stefon Diggs went nuclear in the media. But honestly, the confusion goes deeper than just who she's dating.
People are obsessed with the idea of a "Cardi B football player" because she actually suited up and hit the field for a viral episode of her show Cardi Tries. She wasn't just standing on the sidelines in a $40k Chanel bag—though she does that too. She was actually out there in pads, taking hits and running drills.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cardi B Football Rumors
The internet has a funny way of playing telephone. You see a clip of Cardi B in a New England Patriots jersey, and suddenly the search bar is flooded with people asking if she’s the first woman in the NFL.
She isn't.
The real "football player" in the house is her partner, Stefon Diggs. If you follow the league, you know Diggs is a superstar wide receiver who’s bounced from the Minnesota Vikings to the Buffalo Bills, had a cup of coffee with the Houston Texans, and eventually landed a massive $69 million deal with the New England Patriots in 2025.
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But why do people think she's the athlete?
- The "Cardi Tries" Episode: Back in 2022 (and again in a 2025 collab), Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion visited the Los Angeles Chargers. They didn't just watch. They did the 40-yard dash. Cardi clocked a 7.9—which, let’s be real, is better than most of us could do in designer gear.
- The Patriots Suite Life: Since she started dating Diggs, Cardi has been a fixture at Foxborough. She’s famously said, "I’m a football b*tch now," and she’s been seen celebrating in Robert Kraft’s owner's suite.
- The Discipline Rub-Off: Cardi has been vocal about how Diggs' "military-style" NFL routine has changed her own work ethic. She’s admitted that watching him memorize playbooks and hit the gym at 5:00 AM inspired her to stop complaining about her own grueling tour schedules.
That Time She Actually Put on Pads
Let’s talk about that Chargers practice. It wasn't just a photo op. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion met with NFL legends like Antonio Gates and current stars like Derwin James.
They suited up.
Seeing Cardi B in shoulder pads is something you can't unsee. She was terrified of the tackling dummy at first, but then she leaned into it with that classic Bronx energy. She literally said she had to "envision that I don't like this b***h" before hitting the bag. Honestly? That’s more "football mentality" than some second-stringers show in preseason.
She even caught a touchdown pass. It took a few tries—she struggled with the "diamond" hand placement at first—but when she finally secured the ball, the celebration dance was exactly what you’d expect. High energy. No filters. Pure Cardi.
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Stefon Diggs and the New Patriots Era
To understand why the "Cardi B football player" search is so huge in 2026, you have to look at her boyfriend’s career. Stefon Diggs isn't just a random player; he’s a lightning rod for attention.
When he signed that three-year deal with the Patriots, it wasn't just a sports story. It was a cultural event. Diggs brought his 11,000+ career receiving yards and his "Minneapolis Miracle" reputation to a team that desperately needed a veteran spark.
Then came the baby news.
In November 2025, during a week 11 matchup, the world found out that Cardi B and Stefon Diggs had welcomed their first child together. This pushed the "football player" association even further. When your "baby daddy" is the WR1 for the most famous franchise in NFL history, people are going to link you to the sport forever.
The Dynamics of the Relationship
It hasn't been all touchdowns and roses, though. The couple has dealt with:
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- Public Rants: Cardi had to hop on X (formerly Twitter) in late 2025 to defend the relationship against fans who were "dragging" her for dating an athlete with a "ladies' man" reputation.
- Legal Drama: Diggs faced some legal hurdles regarding an assault charge involving a former chef, which Cardi briefly—and then deleted—defended on social media.
- The "WAG" Transformation: Cardi has effectively traded the "hip-hop royalty" solo bubble for the "NFL First Lady" life. She’s often seen with Robert Kraft, proving that her influence stretches far beyond the recording studio and into the owner's box.
Why This Matters for the NFL
The NFL loves this. They’ve been trying to court the "Swiftie" demographic ever since Taylor Swift started showing up to Chiefs games, but Cardi B brings a different vibe. She brings the Bronx. She brings a demographic that might not have cared about a 3rd-and-long conversion until Stefon Diggs was the one catching the ball.
When she says she "wants all the smoke" for the Patriots, she’s not just being a supportive girlfriend. She’s becoming a brand ambassador for a sport she admitted she never even watched growing up (she was a baseball and basketball girl).
How to Follow the Cardi-Diggs Era
If you're looking for actual stats on the "Cardi B football player" phenomenon, you won't find them in a box score. You’ll find them on Instagram and in the Patriots' merchandise sales.
But if you want to see if she actually has any skill, go back and watch the Cardi Tries "Football" episode. It’s a genuine look at how hard the sport actually is. Even for someone as fit and coordinated as a world-class performer, the NFL is a different beast.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Watch the Cardi Tries episode with the LA Chargers to see her 40-yard dash.
- Follow the Patriots' 2026 playoff run to see Cardi's latest sideline "WAG" fashion, which is currently resetting the bar for stadium style.
- Keep an eye on Stefon Diggs’ stats—he’s currently chasing his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod while balancing life with the most famous woman in music.