The NFL has confirmed it will not investigate New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel following the publication of photographs showing him with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. The images prompted Russini's resignation and an internal investigation at the New York Times-owned sports outlet.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Associated Press on Saturday that the league is not looking into the matter. The Patriots have not responded to questions about whether the team has launched its own review of Vrabel's actions.
The New York Post published the photographs last week, stating they were taken before the annual NFL meetings in Phoenix, which began on 29 March. The NFL's personal conduct policy states that everyone involved with the league must refrain from 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in' the NFL.
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player with New England, is entering his second season as Patriots head coach. He was named AP NFL Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 14-3 record last season, which ended with a Super Bowl loss to Seattle. Vrabel previously won the award with Tennessee in 2021.
Both Vrabel and Russini, who are married, released statements to the Post downplaying the nature of the photographs. Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where she worked as an anchor, analyst and insider. In her resignation letter, she said: 'I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published.'
