Uh oh…
The internet erupted this evening after photos surfaced of New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel appearing…well, pretty close…with reporter Dianna Russini, a longtime NFL reporter who covers the league for The Athletic.
The photos were obtained by Page Six of the New York Post, who says that they were taken two weekends ago at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona.
Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl this past season in his first season with the team, can be seen holding hands with Russini and embracing on what Page Six says is the rooftop of a private bungalow. And further photos show the two lounging together in a pool and hot tub.
According to Page Six, eyewitnesses said the two appeared to be alone and nobody else was spotted with them during their time together – which is a problem because both Vrabel and Russini are married, and not to each other.
The Patriots coach has been married to his wife Jen Vrabel since 1999, and the couple have two children together. Russini, meanwhile, has been married to Shake Shack vice president Kevin Goldschmidt since 2020, and also have two children together.
In statements, however, both Vrabel and Russini deny the implication of an affair between the two and maintain that the photos were taken out of context.
According to Vrabel:
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
And Russini likewise claimed that the photos are misleading:
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Her employer, The Athletic, said in a statement that they stand by their reporter:
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at the Athletic.”
It’s not the first time that Russini has been involved in controversy surrounding an NFL coach. Back in 2015, Washington Redskins GM Scot McCloughan’s wife publicly accused the reporter of having an affair with her husband after Russini broke news regarding the team’s starting quarterback:
“I’m pretty sure this info is coming from my husband to his new side chick, Dianna.”
She later apologized to the reporter, who was working for ESPN at the time:
“I deeply apologize for the disparaging remarks about an ESPN reporter on my personal Twitter account. The comment was unfounded and inappropriate, and I have the utmost respect for both the reporter and ESPN.
I regret that my actions have brought undeserved negative attention to the Redskins organization and its leadership. My comments in no way reflect the opinions or attitudes of the organization and I regret that my behavior has in any way negatively impacted the team and its loyal fan base.”
So far there’s been no comment from the New England Patriots on the relationship between their coach and a reporter, but for the sake of their families let’s hope it’s nothing more than some pictures being taken out of context.
