Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has doubled down on his defense of head coach Mike Vrabel amid the ongoing scandal surrounding Vrabel's alleged affair with NFL insider Dianna Russini. Speaking on Wednesday at the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte, where he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland at Quail Hollow, Maye called Vrabel 'a great human being' and dismissed concerns that the off-field controversy would disrupt the upcoming season.
Maye's Support for Vrabel
'No, I don't,' Maye said when asked if the situation would be a distraction. 'I mean, he's our head coach. I think he's done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I'm just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.'
These comments come just a week after Maye expressed the team's full support for Vrabel, who briefly stepped away from the Patriots during April's draft to attend counseling with his family. 'We're here for Coach, we love Coach,' Maye told 7News Boston WHDH. 'What he does for us, what he's done for us this past year, you can't speak into words. Just thankful he's our head coach. Know he's dealing with some off the field and out of the coaching world, but we're here for him and I know he's gonna come back.'
The Scandal Unfolds
Rumors of an affair between Vrabel and Russini first surfaced in March when the New York Post published photos of the pair hugging and lounging poolside at an adults-only Arizona resort. Both initially denied cheating on their respective spouses, but Vrabel later apologized for his 'actions' without explicitly admitting to an affair. The married father of two adult sons has been married to his wife Jen since 1999.
The scandal took a fresh twist on Wednesday night when TMZ reported that Russini and Vrabel rented a boat in June 2021 while she was pregnant with her first child. At the time, Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and Russini was covering him for ESPN. A source with knowledge of the rental claimed the two were the only people aboard the vessel for two to three hours, a claim supported by a signed company waiver reviewed by TMZ. According to the report, both hesitated to have their pictures taken with onlookers that day; Russini declined a photo with fans, while Vrabel agreed only on the condition that the image not be posted online. Russini gave birth to her first son in August 2021, according to online records.
Further photos published by the New York Post show Vrabel and Russini having breakfast at the Arizona resort and kissing at a New York bar in March 2020. Russini married Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt in September 2020. Additionally, the Daily Mail published photos of the pair at a Biloxi, Mississippi casino in January 2024.
Fallout and Investigations
The Russini-Vrabel scandal continues to reverberate through the NFL and The Athletic, where Russini worked until her recent resignation. Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor, addressed the matter during a late-April staff meeting, admitting his messaging could have been better. He also confirmed an investigation into Russini's reporting, led by standards and editorial quality editor Mike Semel, which is expected to be lengthy, according to Front Office Sports.
In April, Vrabel addressed the media before the NFL Draft, announcing he would miss the third day to attend counseling with his family. 'I understand that there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about, my family, this football team, the organization and our fans,' Vrabel said. 'That's going to start, that has started, and that'll continue this weekend and it'll continue for however long it takes for me to give them and to complete that promise of giving them the best version of me possible. My priorities are my family and this football team - and in that order - and there's a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend and that's where I'll be.'
Maye Also Comments on Diggs' Acquittal
Maye also addressed the acquittal of former Patriots teammate Stefon Diggs on charges of assaulting his live-in personal chef. The charges stemmed from a December 2 incident at Diggs' Massachusetts home, where Jamila Adams testified that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument. Diggs had pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before clearing him of all charges, though he could still face NFL discipline.
'Well, you know, he's always been a great teammate to me and I know he'll do great things,' Maye said. 'I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He's a great player.'
Regarding his own shoulder injury that hampered him late last season, Maye said he's doing 'great' with 'no problems at all' and did not require surgery. The Patriots will host a three-day rookie minicamp beginning Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
