The NFL has made its decision on how to proceed with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s future in the league.
The coach, 50, has come under scrutiny over the past week after he was embroiled in controversy following the publication of photos of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
The suggestive photos showed the female sports reporter, 43, and Vrabel hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at a $2,500-per-night adults-only getaway in Sedona, Arizona.
Despite the scandal, the NFL has decided not to investigate Vrabel’s behavior as part of the league’s personal conduct policy, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN.
The NFL’s personal conduct policy states that players, coaches and executives are required to avoid ‘conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.’
It is currently unclear if the Patriots – Vrabel’s team – intend to review his relationship with Russini.
Mike Vrabel has faced scrutiny over suggestive photos of him and Dianna Russini
The NFL is not investigating the New England Patriots coach’s relationship with the reporter
However, while Vrabel appears to emerging from the scandal unscathed, Russini was placed on leave, The Daily Mail learned, before ultimately resigning on Tuesday. Her contract was reportedly set to expire at the end of June.
As The Daily Mail previously reported, the New York Times, which owns The Athletic, launched an investigation into the photos when contacted by Page Six, who published the photos last week.
A defiant Russini insisted that her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel.
‘I do so [resign] 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,’ she said.
‘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.’
ESPN has also claimed that Russini was given the chance to clear her name, but failed to do so.
The report began by alleging that Russini was approached ‘at home in Bergen County’ by ‘a reporter from the New York Post’, who told her that they had photographs of her and Vrabel together in Arizona.
A defiant Russini has insisted her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel
Russini married fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020
Russini interviewing Vrabel last year after he got the Patriots job
The former Athletic reporter allegedly asserted that she and Vrabel had simply been in Arizona for NFL league meetings. However, after discovering the nature of the photos, she allegedly called up a ‘crisis communications expert’.
Eventually, the photos went public. While the publication had initially stood by Russini, she was later asked to provide some form of evidence that backed up her case.
The report read: ‘While The Athletic had been quick to rush to her defense ahead of the story, executives asked for more evidence from Russini such as text messages about an airport pickup, screenshots of planning the trip or photos from a hike, the three people said. They said Russini never provided sufficient evidence.’
The bombshell report, which emerged on Friday afternoon, also claimed that Russini and Vrabel had coordinated their crisis response.
‘In the days before the story ran… Russini and Vrabel also communicated about how to respond to the Post, according to a person with knowledge of those discussions’.
According to the outlet, Russini and Vrabel eventually told the Post that the ‘photos didn’t accurately reflect their interaction’.
On top of ‘a veteran in crisis communications’, the report claims that Russini ‘appealed directly to the Times Company chief executive officer to plead her case’.
The Daily Mail also reached out for comment to Vrabel and Russini’s representatives when the news broke. Spokespeople for The New York Times and The Athletic declined to comment to the Daily Mail on the controversy last week.
