The NFL reporter who was fired for kicking Dianna Russini while she’s down insists she stands by her brutal public statement despite losing her job over it.
Crissy Froyd – who covered the NFL and college football for USA Today SMG – was dismissed by the publication on Thursday after ripping into Russini following her resignation from The Athletic this week.
Russini announced on Tuesday that she has left the New York Times-owned publication amid bombshell claims she was having an affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, which both parties have denied.
In response to her resignation letter, Froyd wrote to her fellow female reporter: ‘I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.
‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way.’
On Thursday USA Today confirmed that Froyd’s contract has been terminated ‘effective immediately’ over her comments about Russini. Though while she admitted to TMZ that she is ‘beyond distraught’ over her firing, the 26-year-old has no regrets.
The NFL reporter who was fired for criticizing Dianna Russini insists she stands by her words
Russini resigned from The Athletic this week amid claims she had an affair with Mike Vrabel
‘I would like to acknowledge the statements put out about me recently and that I am also no longer with USA TODAY SMG. I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it,’ Froyd said in a post on X.
She added: ‘I feel I’ve been very transparent and did nothing wrong.’
Froyd also highlighted a column by one of her fellow female USA Today reporters which accused Russini of ‘putting the credibility of all women in sports at risk.’
‘I also find it so interesting that a Nancy Armour column was able to be published about Dianna Russini setting women back on USAT, but that my comments as a freelancer on my own social media about her were not fine,’ her post continued.
‘Be bold and speak out. Will it make a martyr out of you? Maybe. But some things are worth it and some are not. This was.’
USA Today stressed that Froyd made comments that ‘do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct.’
As well as her explosive online post, Froyd doubled down on her sentiments about Russini in a statement provided to the Daily Caller, in which she made a series of allegations.
She said: ‘From fights with other reporters in Chili’s parking lots about hooking up with married NFL coaches to everything else, it is almost certainly all true. It was the worst kept secret in the NFL reporting world for a while.
Froyd was dismissed by USA Today on Thursday for celebrating Russini’s Athletic exit
She accused her fellow female reporter of doing ‘so much detriment to women in sports’
‘Someone once propositioned me to have Dianna potentially be my mentor. I declined because I knew what she was about and her track record.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Russini for comment on Froyd’s allegations.
Russini has not responded to public comments, and said this week that ‘everything’ she has to say about the matter is referenced in her resignation letter.
Froyd initially reacted to her shock dismissal in an interview with TMZ, saying: ‘I struggle to understand the positioning here after that was published, but that apparently I as an independent contractor cannot make my own statements on my own social media accounts.’
She stressed that she does not have a ‘vendetta’ against Russini, nor was she ‘actively waiting for the perfect moment’ to call her out. Instead, the fired reporter felt she ‘could finally say something without being the only one.’
However, Froyd has been axed by USA Today after a decade with the publication.
‘I am looking forward to what is next and I do walk away with my head held high,’ she added. ‘Have I become a martyr? We will see. But I hold zero regret and am beyond proud of my accomplishments.’
Froyd has no regrets over her criticism despite admitting she is ‘beyond distraught’ to be fired
Russini, 43, departed The Athletic after suggestive photos were published last week showing her and Vrabel, 50, hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at a $2,500-per-night getaway in Sedona, Arizona.
Nevertheless, 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.’
