A downcast Mike Vrabel issued a groveling apology to his family just before the NFL Draft got underway on Thursday night, following claims he had an affair with reporter Dianna Russini.
The pair became embroiled in controversy earlier this month, when the New York Post published suggestive photos of Vrabel with Russini fraternizing at a $2,500-a-night retreat in Sedona, Arizona. The Post later released other pictures, ostensibly showing Vrabel and Russini enjoying breakfast together. Then on Thursday, exclusive photos from the New York Post purportedly showed Vrabel, then coach of the Tennessee Titans, at the now-closed Tribeca Tavern in New York with Russini, who was working for ESPN and covering the team at the time.
Speaking at the Patriots' facility just over 30 minutes before the NFL Draft got underway, Vrabel said: 'I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to people I care most about. My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. I need to take the necessary steps to work together and to give them the best version of myself. That has started, will continue this weekend and will continue for however long it takes. My priorities are my family and this football team - in that order - and there is a balance I'm going to create. My family needs me this weekend and that's where I'll be.'
Earlier this week, Vrabel told reporters at the Patriots' return to practice that he'd had 'difficult conversations with people I care about - with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players' in the wake of the scandal. Then, on Wednesday, Vrabel revealed he is seeking counseling and won't be with the team for Day 3 of this year's NFL Draft.
The Patriots entered the draft holding 11 picks. That includes the Super Bowl runner-up's one scheduled pick (No. 31) in Thursday's first round. They have one pick each in rounds 2 and 3 on Friday. But the bulk of their selections will be on Saturday when Vrabel won't be in the draft room. That's when they are scheduled to select twice in the fourth round, once in the fifth, four times in the sixth and once in the seventh round.
While sources close to Vrabel and Russini insisted to Page Six they were joined by a group of friends in Arizona, 'multiple eyewitnesses' reportedly claimed the two were actually 'alone'. Vrabel and Russini have both denied any wrongdoing while insisting the photos of them hugging and hanging poolside are misleading. Russini was ultimately placed on leave and investigated by The Athletic's parent company, The New York Times, only to resign from her position last week.
One witness told Page Six regarding the new photos of them in a bar together on March 11, 2020: 'They were kissing and they were all over each other. He had a ring on. They were having a glorious time. They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly. There was nobody in there. Nobody knew who they were. I don't even think the bartenders did.'
Russini was married to her husband Kevin Goldschmidt later that year. Vrabel, meanwhile, has been married to his wife Jen since 1999. Both have two children. Other than describing the Post's story as 'laughable' in a brief statement, Vrabel had been silent on the matter until ostensibly making himself accountable to the public at Tuesday's press conference.
The team said on Thursday night: 'The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel's decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being. Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment. We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.'
