The Story Behind the Story is the Real Story: Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini
Mike Vrabel was infamously absent from Day 3 of the NFL Draft so he could attend therapy, as we all do on a Saturday that happens to be one of the most critical work days of the year. Former ESPN and The Athletic NFL Insider Dianna Russini was also absent from the NFL Draft, and Twitter X - she deleted her profile shortly after Vrabel’s embarrassing and cowardly press conference last week.
In case you’re lacking context, I think I can give it to you in one word. Affair. Outside of abuse and divorce, that’s probably the worst word to have in a marriage.
It’s one of the best words for juicy reporting, however. Nobody knows that better than the New York Post, who masterfully orchestrated the reporting on the Vrabel/Russini scandal leading into the NFL Draft.
On April 7th the New York Post dropped a bombshell report describing the Patriots head coach and The Athletic’s most prominent NFL Insider being spotted together at a romantic, adults only resort in Sedona, Arizona without their spouses. The article was accompanied with photos of the two exchanging hugs, holding hands, and lounging by the pool. The New York Post, as any respected outlet would, reached out to both parties for comment ahead of the story dropping.
Vrabel’s statement: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
I wonder how laughable it is now…
and he did in fact give a further response…
Russini’s statement: “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
First of all, the New York Post did its job and spoke with other guests who spotted Russini and Vrabel at the resort - they all stated they only saw the two of them.
Second of all, none of the supposed friends of Russini and Vrabel have come forward. Unless they were also there having affairs, there’s no reason for them to remain hidden.
Third of all, Russini’s statement breaks one of the biggest rules in journalism. You NEVER oust a source. Describing Vrabel as a source, even if it seems obvious, is a complete violation of The Journalist Code. Unlike The Pirate’s Code, the Journalist Code is more like actual rules than guidelines (RIP Captain Barbosa).
Despite the story blowing up Twitter X, Mainstream sports outlets, such as ESPN and Fox Sports, remained suspiciously quiet about the top trending New York Post post. The overwhelming theory on ESPN’s silence stems from a January 1st transaction that involved the NFL acquiring 10% of ESPN (In turn ESPN took over NFL Media).
Barstool’s Pardon My Take podcast was heavily criticized for not covering the story in their episode that was recorded hours after the news broke. Days later, during a hilarious lashing from Jerry O’Connel, PMT did a full analysis on the incident and admitted their previous silence was due to personal friendships with Dianna Russini.
The only mainstream sports outlet that consistently, and objectively, reported on the alleged affair (That’s no longer alleged) was NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk and PFT Live. That blog and program are both only half owned by NBC, as Mike Florio famously retains the other 50%. That gives Florio the authority to report on whatever he pleases. Being a former attorney, I’m sure NBC trusts his discretion to write things that won’t get him or his business partner in legal courtroom trouble. The court of public opinion is an entirely different matter. Having been a fan of Florio’s work for years, I can say that whenever he reports on something that upsets readers/viewers, they don’t seem to blame NBC. Commenters aren’t scared to give Florio all the hate they deem necessary (You have to be comfortable with that in this space).
Eventually Fox Sports and others came around discussing the Russini and Vrabel situation. Even ESPN had to finally report on it with one article they tucked away deep on their website last week. It was written by Dan Murphy whose profile says he’s worked for ESPN.com since 2014 and covers the Big 10. The article was short and added nothing to the previous reporting. Not a violation of the Journalist Code but definitely a weenie move.
Speaking of weenie moves, Mike Vrabel finally addressed the media on April 21st, exactly two weeks after the NY Post published Vrabel’s comments calling their report laughable. Vrabel’s press conference included a three minute statement where he declined to take any accountability, while saying he’ll take accountability.
“You know, we believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions.” Vrabel said. “That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction. And when I — those are comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team, with the team, we’ll keep those private and to ourselves.”
After his statement, Vrabel agreed to speak to a few select reporters off camera to address football related questions only.
When one of the reporters asked Vrabel about Russini resigning over the situation minutes after speaking of his own accountability, Vrabel said “I’m not going to be able to comment on anything as it relates to that.”
Merriam-Webster Definition of Accountability: “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions”
Here’s the brilliance of the New York Post’s timeline. They dropped the initial report on April 7th, two weeks and two days before the NFL Draft. Reports then leaked that there may be more photos, and that TMZ Sports (Their competitor) had the first crack at acquiring the story (and pictures), but failed to do so. After Mike Vrabel’s press conference, two days before the draft, the New York Post released more photos of Russini and Vrabel in Sedona, Arizona. The photos didn’t add anything new, but sparked more social media conversation and coverage.
Then, hours before the draft…
Weeks after Vrabel called the insinuations “laughable” and Russini implied the interaction as business related…
A week after Russini’s resignation letter denied the allegations…
A day after Vrabel attempted to quiet the story with an embarrassing press conference…
The New York Post dropped the biggest bomb yet…
Photos from six years ago, a time when Vrabel was still married to his current wife, and Russini engaged to her now husband, of the two kissing in a bar.
Hours ahead of the biggest NFL event of the offseason, the New York Post dropped evidence of an affair that began SIX YEARS AGO involving the reigning AFC Champion Head Coach and a prominent NFL Insider. In a day and age where news is heavily pushed based on the almighty social media algorithms, the New York Post took full advantage of the NFL offseason schedule.
Shortly after the biggest bombshell of the series, we also learned that Dianna’s son is named “Michael” (Great name…but way sus, dude). Her son was born over a year after the March 2020 photos of her and Vrabel kissing. So while the internet is hypothesizing that Vrabel is the father, it still seems most likely that he’s the offspring of Russini and her husband.
Vrabel went on to announce that he was going to miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to seek counseling and spend time with his family.
Russini’s Twitter X remains deleted.
While I was confirming Russini’s Twitter X status, the New York Post dropped an update. Vrabel was spotted in Salt Lake City buying what the article described as an “apology gift” for his wife. Some men buy jewelry. Others buy flowers. Vrabel bought a light blue sweatsuit…
The Russini and Vrabel story is the gift that keeps on giving for the New York Post, and they’ve managed it masterfully. There will surely be more fruit to fall from this tree.
Any Patriots player that’s outspoken about infidelity, or gets caught committing a similar act, connections will be drawn (Fair or not).
If the Patriots do in fact land AJ Brown, as Russini reported earlier this offseason, her name will be dragged for “how” she got that inside scoop (Fair or not).
If the Patriots start the season slow, “distractions” will be the culprit (Fair or not).
If Russini gets another job, the size of this story will be the “reason” (Fair or not)
If Vrabel is fired or resigns, this incident will be the “reason” (Fair or not)
If either or both get divorced…fair.
