Online sleuths believe they have uncovered a Spotify playlist that Dianna Russini made for Mike Vrabel during a low moment in his NFL coaching career.
The revelations came to light on Monday night and appear to show Russini put together the playlist, named ‘TURNIN THE PAGE’ on December 19, 2022.
That was just a day after Vrabel’s Tennessee Titans team had slumped to their fourth defeat in a row, against the Los Angeles Chargers. They’d also lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars in the weeks before.
A screenshot shows 18 songs on the playlist, but only 15 are visible, and Russini shared it with just one person, whose name is ‘Mike’.
Later it was alleged that Vrabel changed his Spotify username from ‘Mike’ to ‘Tycar’, which some have pointed out is a mashup of his son’s names – Tyler and Carter.
The playlist includes songs from Beyonce, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses, KISS and Def Leppard. It appeared to have been deleted hours later. Last week, Russini also shut down her X account.
Online sleuths think they have found a Spotify playlist made by Dianna Russini for Mike Vrabel
The playlist, called ‘TURNIN THE PAGE’ was shared with ‘Mike’ amid a Titans losing streak
The playlist has songs from Beyonce, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses and KISS
But, adding further intrigue, radio personality Jared Stillman has cited a training camp report from longtime Titans reporter Jim Wyatt just nine months after the playlist was created.
In a piece from Titans training camp on August 14, 2023 – which was Vrabel’s 48th birthday – Wyatt wrote: ‘On Mike Vrabel’s birthday, the playlist was designed to please the head coach, and I must admit, it pleased me as well.
‘During the practice session, there was plenty of rock and country music blaring through the speakers. Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Metallica and even some old school Styx (Renegade) could be heard loud and clear, along with some Bob Seger.
‘There was also plenty of country, from Kenny Chesney to Luke Combs to even Kenny Rogers. It had been a while since I’d heard The Gambler. It was all music to my ears, and apparently Vrabel’s too – the head coach was spotted dancing a bit to “Welcome to the Jungle” at the start.’
Russini, 43, resigned from her job at The Athletic earlier this month amid bombshell allegations she had an affair with Vrabel, 50. The pair, who are both married with children, have denied the allegations.
Page Six first published pictures of Russini fraternizing with the New England Patriots head coach at a $2,500-a-night adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona, on March 28.
They can be seen hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at the retreat in the images, and they were also spotted having breakfast ‘alone’ that same morning.
Other photos emerged last week appearing to show the pair looking cozy at a New York bar back in 2020, when Vrabel was the coach of the Titans.
Vrabel has issued a groveling apology to his family and agreed to seek counseling over the scandal, which saw him miss the final day of last week’s NFL Draft. He was back with the team on Monday, however.
The playlist includes songs that were played during the Titans’ training camp in August 2023
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and they have two children
Dianna Russini married fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020 during the pandemic
Russini’s only public comment has been the statement she gave after leaving The Athletic, in which she denied the allegations.
As the Daily Mail previously reported, the New York Times – the parent company of The Athletic – launched an investigation into the photos when contacted by Page Six after the Russini-Vrabel interaction in Sedona.
She was later placed on leave, the Daily Mail learned, before ultimately resigning from her position. Her contract was reportedly set to expire at the end of June.
A bombshell ESPN report claimed Russini was given the chance to clear her name by the Times, yet she failed to do so.
‘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 in her exit statement.
‘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.’
Vrabel, meanwhile, has the full support of the Patriots after starting counseling over the weekend.
In an emotional press conference last week, he admitted he had been forced to have some ‘difficult conversations’ with his family about the Russini scandal.
In a statement last week, the Patriots threw their support behind Vrabel and commended his decision to ‘prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being’ after agreeing to start counseling.
