New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel returned to work at Gillette Stadium on Monday after taking two days away for counseling amid controversy over photos showing him with NFL reporter Dianna Russini. According to CBS News, Vrabel missed the third day of the NFL Draft to seek counsel following the release of photographs by The New York Post.
Key Takeaways
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel returned to work Monday after taking two days away for counseling amid controversy over photos with NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The images, taken in March 2020 when Vrabel coached the Tennessee Titans and Russini worked for ESPN, show them together at a New York City bar.
- Vrabel missed the third day of the NFL Draft to seek counseling after the photos were published by The New York Post
- He addressed reporters last Thursday, emphasizing his priorities as family and football in that order
- Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic following the photo publication, citing a media frenzy fueled by speculation
- The NFL confirmed it is not investigating Vrabel's behavior related to these photos
Vrabel addressed reporters last Thursday at Gillette Stadium, emphasizing his priorities: 'My priorities are my family and this football team. In that order.' He announced he would not attend the draft's final day as he sought counseling, a decision supported by the Patriots' organization. During his statement, Vrabel described having 'difficult conversations' with his family, team officials, coaches, and players following the photo publication.
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.
The photos were taken before the annual NFL meetings in Phoenix on March 29, 2020, when Vrabel coached the Tennessee Titans and Russini worked for ESPN. The New York Post published new images showing them together at a New York City bar earlier that year. According to Fox News, skeptics within the NFL question Vrabel's credibility due to inconsistent statements about his relationship with Russini.
Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic last week following the photo publication. In her resignation letter shared on social media, she cited a media frenzy fueled by self-feeding speculation as the reason for stepping aside before her contract expired on June 30. Fox News reported that Russini deactivated her X account after users resurfaced old posts.
The NFL confirmed it is not investigating Vrabel's behavior related to these photos, according to CBS News and The Associated Press reports. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN that Vrabel's situation does not fall under the league's personal conduct policy but remains a team matter.
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