Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Barstool Sports shared shaky video from a Patriots season ticket holders event at Gillette Stadium’s GP Atrium, capturing Mike Vrabel was resounding. Video shows the embattled New England head coach receiving a standing ovation from many of the people in attendance.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has been under scrutiny for an alleged extramarital affair with reporter Dianna Russini after photos of the pair getting close at a secluded resort in Sedona, Arizona were published. Additional photos of the pair by themselves at a bar in 2020 and a casino in 2024 were subsequently released.
New England Patriots season ticket holders gave Mike Vrabel a standing ovation at his first event with fans in attendance following the Dianna Russini scandal
While prediction markets have been increasing the odds that the scandal could cost Vrabel his job, season ticket-holding Patriots fans made their feelings about the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year crystal clear with a standing ovation on Tuesday night.
Mike Vrabel received a standing ovation at the Patriots season ticket holder event pic.twitter.com/77w7w012To
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 29, 2026
Vrabel addressed the situation at a press conference last week, acknowledged his actions caused a distraction, confirmed he is seeking counseling, and said his family comes first.
“I want to address the news regarding my current situation. I understand that there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that have caused a distraction to the people I care most about: my family, this football team, the organization, and our fans,” Vrabel said.
“My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t. And what I believe is best for the two most important things in my life — my family and this football team — is for us to take the necessary steps to work together, and to give them what I told them I’d give them, which is the best version of me. My priorities are my family and this football team. In that order. There is a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend. And that’s where I’ll be.”
Conversely, Russini has been silent since announcing her resignation on April 14 and has taken actions on social media such as deleting her X/Twitter account, making her Instagram private, and deleting a Spotify playlist that she allegedly made for and sent to Vrabel in 2022.