Dianna Russini Traffic Stop. Breaking down the FOOTBALL THINGS.
On February 5th, 2026, Dianna Russini was on an Apple Podcast interview for Stugotz and Company when she described a situation where she was pulled over by a police officer and then FaceTimed his favorite coach to get out of a ticket. Four months and twenty-four days later, that story turned out to be untrue.
In the newly released body camera footage, Russini was pulled over for using her phone while driving.
“I know exactly why you pulled me over.” Russini said as soon as the officer reached the passenger side window.
“Is this for the cell phone? You’re not gonna care, but I’m an NFL reporter. I just broke that Sean McDermott got fired from the Bills. And that’s what I was just…sending a tweet. I know you don’t care. I just wanted you to know why. It was a work thing. It was an emergency.”
Not sure if Dianna and I agree on the definition of emergency. Or Journalism. Or Integrity…
After the officer explained that he had seen her on the phone for a while, Russini immediately shifted the subject to football. “Like I’m shocked that they fired him! I cannot believe it.” Russini said. “You know who I was on the phone with? Brian Daboll because he wants the job.”
FOOTBALL THING: Per Dianna Russini, Brian Daboll wanted the Bills job moments after Sean McDermott was fired.
My take: Brian Daboll wanting the job makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is Daboll talking to Russini about it. Why wouldn’t he call his former General Manager, Brandon Beane? Or even better…his agent…That’s kind of what agents do…
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“Are you a fan of Giants or Jets?” Russini asked moments after revealing Daboll’s interest in the Bills job.
“Neither…I’m a Vikings fan, unfortunately.” Said the officer.
Russini immediately perked up. “Look at who I was just texting with.” Said Russini. “Can you see the name?”
“Oh my God. KOC?” (Kevin O’Connell; Vikings’ Head Coach). “Wow. Pretty cool.” Said the officer.
“I love the Vikings, though.” Russini replied before adding “Your quarterback sucks though!”
FOOTBALL THING: Per Dianna Russini, JJ McCarthy sucks!
My take: So far, he does.
If this is the last take she ever gives in the NFL, it might be a good one! Or, JJ could come back and have an amazing career, and then her final take becomes the final piece to a disgraced career.
The police officer wound up letting her go with a warning. As a former police officer myself, I’ll tell you that I didn’t have an issue with the way he handled the traffic stop. To me, he came off as the kind of police officer who prefers to help people out, give verbal warnings, etc. There’s more of those than you might think.
I took great exception, however, to the way Russini handled the stop.
I spoke about it here.
Written by Seattle Mike