Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini, and The Athletic each downplayed a story the New York Post’s Page Six published on Tuesday that appears to show the Patriots coach “holding hands and hugging” with the senior NFL insider at an Arizona resort.
The story from the Post’s gossip section included paparazzi pics, apparently showing Vrabel and Russini greeting each other and relaxing in a hot tub at the Ambiente luxury resort in Sedona, Arizona. By 6:30 p.m. ET, an X/Twitter post with the photos had received more than two million views.
Vrabel, Russini, and The Athletic, however, dismissed the notion that the photos were inappropriate, calling them “innocent” and “misleading” in statements. Both Vrabel and Russini are married with children.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel told the outlet. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues,” Russini said in a statement sent to Front Office Sports.
Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, also downplayed the photos. “These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic,” he said.
Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl winner as a linebacker with the Pats, led the franchise to Super Bowl LX in February in his first season as the team’s head coach. New England fell to the Seahawks 29-13.
Russini, a highly respected insider, joined The Athletic in 2023 after eight years with ESPN.
The Patriots did not immediately respond to FOS’s request for comment.
