Fresh images have surfaced showing New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL reporter Dianna Russini kissing at a New York City bar six years ago, deepening the scandal that has engulfed both figures.
The photographs, obtained by Page Six, date from March 11, 2020, when Vrabel was coaching the Tennessee Titans and wearing his wedding ring. Russini, then engaged to Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, was seen talking closely with Vrabel, holding hands and exchanging kisses. An eyewitness who took the photos described seeing Russini’s legs “in between” Vrabel’s, adding that the pair were “having a glorious time” and giving each other “pecks constantly.”
The release of the new images follows earlier pictures from a luxury resort in Arizona, where Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, were seen holding hands and hugging. Both are married to other people. Russini resigned from her role as senior NFL insider at The Athletic, and Vrabel has confirmed he will attend counselling, missing part of this weekend’s NFL draft.
In a statement on Wednesday, Vrabel told ESPN that he had committed to seeking counselling, saying: “I promised my family, this organisation and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me … I have committed to seeking counselling, starting this weekend.” The Patriots issued a statement of support, respecting his decision to “prioritise his family first, as well as his own well-being.”
The NFL confirmed last weekend that Vrabel’s conduct is not being investigated. Meanwhile, Russini maintained her innocence in her resignation letter, stating she covered the NFL “with professionalism and dedication” and stood behind every story she had published. The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, confirmed it was reviewing the nature of her relationship with Vrabel and her coverage for potential conflicts of interest.
The Athletic’s executive editor Steven Ginsberg said that while the outlet initially supported Russini, “additional information emerged” and “new questions were raised” as part of the ongoing investigation. Russini’s resignation has not ended the scrutiny, with the investigation continuing.
