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In a significant moment during Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing trial, explosive testimony has revealed the identity of the NFL player at the center of a jealous outburst by the music mogul.
According to court statements, Andre Branch, a former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, allegedly had a romantic involvement with singer and model Cassie Ventura while she was in a turbulent relationship with Combs.
The revelation came from Deonte Nash, a former stylist who worked for Diddy for a decade between 2008 and 2018. When questioned in court, Nash described Branch as "the cute football player" and confirmed that Cassie and the NFL star had a relationship.
However, Nash stopped short of offering specific details about the timeline or depth of their alleged involvement, according to TMZ.
Diddy's reaction to Cassie's suspected romance
Cassie herself addressed the incident during her testimony, focusing on a confrontation in 2016 when Combs became suspicious that she was dating another man.
The tension boiled over during a car ride, when Combs abruptly took her phone, believing she was in with a professional football player.
"He was trying to get in it and read my phone," Cassie said in court. "My mother eventually called the police" after she returned home without her phone, the singer added.
The alleged altercation was part of a broader pattern of controlling behavior that Cassie described during her time on the witness stand.
When defense attorney Anna Estevao pressed her about whether her connection with the football player constituted cheating, Cassie responded, "I don't know that I would call it cheating.
"When you're not with somebody, it's not cheating... We weren't married. He would get upset even when we weren't together or going on breaks."
Andre Branch, who played in the NFL from 2012 to 2019, was known for his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and later the Miami Dolphins, where he signed a multi-year deal.
Since retiring from professional football, Branch has kept a low profile and has not responded publicly to the trial's developments or the newly surfaced allegations.
The claims about Branch and Cassie add to the mounting scrutiny surrounding Combs, who faces serious legal challenges amid accusations of sex trafficking and abuse.
Ventura, who filed a civil suit against Combs in 2023 that was later settled, continues to play a central role in the federal case now underway.
As proceedings continue, the testimonies of individuals close to Combs-including former employees like Nash-are painting a more detailed picture of the star's private life and the volatile dynamics that reportedly defined his relationship with Cassie.