Dianna Russini isn’t the only female NFL reporter out of a job in the wake of a photo scandal involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Crissy Froyd was dismissed by USA Today SMG on Thursday after writing a post on social media seemingly celebrating Russini’s resignation from her post at The Athletic.
Russini 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 Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort.
Russini announced her departure from the outlet, which is owned by the New York Times, via a letter to The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg which was obtained by the Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead,” Froyd posted on X in reply to Russini’s resignation letter.
“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.”
What did Russini say in her resignation?
Russini had become embroiled in controversy last week when Page Six published photos of her hugging and holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
“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,” she wrote.
“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so 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.”
What did Froyd say about dismissal by USA Today?
USA Today confirmed via social media that Froyd’s contract has been terminated “effective immediately” after the post went viral.
But while the 26-year-old reporter, who had covered both NFL and college football for the outlet, told TMZ that she is “beyond distraught” over being axed, she later fired back at her now-former employer.
“Sorry for speaking the truth,” Froyd wrote in a post on X, replying to USA Today’s announcement.
Froyd also shared that she has no regrets about her posts and that it was “worth it” to speak out.
“I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it,” she wrote on X.
“I feel I’ve been very transparent and did nothing wrong. 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.
“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.”
She also posted a screenshot of Armour’s story titled ‘Dianna Russini put credibility of all women in sports at risk,” and added her own commentary: “USA Today says this is ok but my comments aren’t’?? Ok.”
In its statement regarding Froyd, USA Today said that her comments “do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct.”
Why was Russini under investigation?
According to a report by the New York Times, “the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel and her coverage are being reviewed and she will not be reporting while the investigation is underway.”
The Athletic’s editorial guidelines state that journalists are required to avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict.
The outlet initially backed Russini, with Ginsberg saying in a statement to The Post that the photos were misleading and “lack essential context.”
“These were public interactions in front of many people,” he said. “Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
Did Russini and Vrabel have an affair?
In 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 – who are both married to other people – 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 that 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 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.”
Who are their spouses?
Vrabel and his wife, Jen, have been married for more than 26 years and have two sons, according to reports.
Russini has been married to Kevin Goldschmidt, an executive at fast-food restaurant Shake Shack, since 2020. They also have two children together.
Russini had served as a senior NFL insider with The Athletic, but worked as a beat reporter for ESPN covering the Tennessee Titans during Vrabel’s tenure as head coach of the team.