© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal is not going away.
Two weeks ago, Russini and Vrabel, who are both married to other people, were photographed together in a hot tub at an adults-only resort in Arizona, which leaked to the New York Post.
Despite initially denying affair allegations, Vrabel apologized to the team on Tuesday and addressed the situation with the media ahead of the NFL draft.
“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about about — with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive. In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me.”
‘What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward.’
On Wednesday, the NY Post leaked more pictures of Vrabel and Russini having breakfast together at the adults-only resort from last month.
Via NY Post
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini were spotted having breakfast together during their outing at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Ariz., last month, as seen in new exclusive photos obtained by Page Six.
An insider told us that the pair — who are both married to other people — dined together on the morning of March 28, around 10:15 a.m. local time.
Multiple eyewitnesses claimed that the two dined alone, which seems to be supported by the pictures we obtained. But sources close to Russini insist that the sports reporter and the NFL coach were joined by a group of friends for the morning meal.
According to the Post, Russini and Vrabel were apparently trying to be discreet before having breakfast together.
The insider also told us that the pair appeared to be trying to go incognito by walking to various places in the resort separately throughout the day, following their breakfast.
“One of them would go ahead and then the other would wait for a few seconds or so, and then they would follow a few steps ahead,” the source alleged, claiming that it seemed as if “they really didn’t want to be seen walking together.”
While Vrabel appears to have admitted to the affair, Russini remained defiant as she resigned from her job at The Athletic.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”