The ongoing saga involving Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL reporter Dianna Russini continues to expand at an exponential rate.
On Thursday afternoon, hours before the first round of the NFL draft, Page Six published newly obtained bombshell photos appearing to show the couple – who are married to other people – kissing at a bar in New York City six years ago.
According to the outlet, Vrabel and Russini were “all over each other” at the Tribeca Tavern while sitting close to each other and conversing on March 11, 2020.
“They were kissing and they were all over each other,” an eyewitness told Page Six, adding the pair were “very close to each other” throughout the evening and that at one point, Russini’s legs were “in between (Vrabel’s) legs.”
At the time of the meeting, Vrabel was married to wife Jen – “He had a ring on,” the insider said — while Russini would go on to marry her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, six months later.
TMZ releases 2024 photos
A few hours after the Page Six post, TMZ published yet another picture of Vrabel and Russini having a good time together – in this instance at a casino in 2024.
Vrabel, who had recently been fired by the Tennessee Titans, was seen smiling and gambling at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Miss., on Jan. 31, 2024.
The pair reportedly were in town for the Senior Bowl, which was being held in nearby Mobile, Ala.
Did Vrabel father any of Russini’s children?
After the release of the photos from 2020, many social-media pundits began asking questions about how deep the alleged relationship between Vrabel and Russini went.
Several users on social media – most notably including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy – questioned whether Vrabel in fact fathered either of Russini’s two sons.
“I can’t believe that I think there is a chance Russini fathered Vrabel’s child,” Portnoy posted, “That is how nuts this has gotten.”
Portnoy then pointed out that Russini’s oldest son, who was born in 2021, is named Michael.
“You just can’t name your kid the same name as the guy you are having an affair with,” he wrote. “We have entered bananland with this story and nothing is off the table.”
What has Vrabel said?
On Thursday, following the publication of the 2020 snapshots, Vrabel – who recently divulged he will be seeking counseling – spoke to reporters at a press conference held during the NFL draft.
When asked about Russini, the head coach wouldn’t get into details.
“That’s a private and personal matter. I don’t think that those comments … I think that was, you know, I’m always gonna attempt to protect your family,” he told reporters.
“I would never be dismissive, but I think my family and this football team are the most important thing and that’s what I plan to do, and I’m excited about the challenge with both of those things.”
He also reiterated his intention to skip the third day of the NFL draft on Saturday to seek counselling.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them,” he said. “In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.”
Has Russini commented on the new photos?
Amid the latest revelations and photos being published, Russini deleted her X account on Thursday evening.
Russini had previously posted her resignation letter from The Athletic on the social media platform, but it was no longer visible after the former NFL reporter went dark.
How did this whole thing start?
In the first batch of photos posted by New York Post’s Page Six, the Patriots head coach and the reporter with The Athletic were seen “holding hands and hugging” in an intimate setting at a luxury hotel in Arizona.
In the photos, which reportedly were taken in March, Vrabel and Russini were seen “hugging at sunset and weaving their fingers together as they (stood) face-to-face” before also briefly dancing together.
According to the outlet, the pair were spotted on a private rooftop area of the Ambiente hotel in Sedona, Ariz., which markets itself as a luxury adults-only getaway destination with scenic views of the Brins Mesa mountain range.
The area where they were photographed is reportedly only accessible from two-person bungalows that cost more than US$2,100 per evening.
While sources close to both Vrabel and Russini say they were at the hotel with other friends, the outlet originally reported it had received claims from three separate eyewitnesses that Vrabel and Russini had not been seen with anyone else at the hotel.
What did Vrabel and Russini initially say about the claims?
Both Russini and Vrabel issued stern denials of any wrongdoing or that any sort of affair had taken place.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response,” Vrabel said in a statement.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini told Page Six. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Russini later resigned from her job with The Athletic just days after the outlet launched an internal investigation into the reporter’s conduct following the publication of photos of her with Vrabel at an Arizona resort.
Russini announced her departure from the outlet via a letter to The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg that was obtained by the Associated Press last week.