ESPN
Stephen A. Smith’s fantasies of becoming a politician have seemingly influenced his take on the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel situation. Asked about the alleged illicit relationship between the pair, SAS said that he will believe Russini’s claims until proven otherwise.
Speaking on his SiriusXM radio show this week, Stephen A. Smith came out in support of Dianna Russini, his former ESPN colleague who resigned from The Athletic in the wake of the scandal (while also taking zero responsibility).
Stephen A. Smith said he will believe Dianna Russini until evidence proves otherwise and that misogyny is not a factor in the fallout
“I give her the benefit of the doubt. She worked at ESPN for 10 years as my colleague. She’s a wonderful person, she’s a damn good reporter, I respect the hell out of her, and I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. If she says this stuff isn’t true, I’m gonna believe her until further evidence to the contrary is provided. If she says this stuff isn’t true, I’m gonna believe her until further evidence to the contrary is provided,” Smith said.
“Having said that, it still didn’t stop me from saying that when you know that you are a reporter and this is a head coach of an NFL team and you cover the NFL, you can’t put yourself in that position.”
Smith also spoke on the narrative that misogyny is a factor in the fallout, which has been a narrative that Jemele Hill has been peddling.
“I don’t think misogyny applies in this particular case,” he said. “The fact of the matter is, he’s the head coach of an NFL team. She’s a reporter. The onus is on her to make sure her objectivity is not skewed in any way.”
On Tuesday, for the first time since the New York Post published photos of Russini and Vrabel canoodling at a private Arizona resort, the New England Patriots head coach publicly addressed the media.
“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,” Vrabel said.
“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.”
While the NFL has said they will not be investigating Vrabel, The Athletic is continuing its investigation into Russini despite her resignation.