Mike Vrabel Speaks Out for the First Time Since Release of Dianna Russini Photos From 2020
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is speaking out for the first time since newly-released photos from 2020 appear to show him and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini kissing.
"I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about," Vrabel told reporters before the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, Apr. 23. "My family, this football team, the organization and the fans."
Earlier that day, Vrabel announced that he would miss the third day of the draft on Saturday, Apr. 25 to attend counseling in the wake of the scandal.
"My priorities are my family and this football and in that order," he added. "There's a balance there that I'm going to create. My family needs me this weekend and that's where I'll be."
Vrabel declined to elaborate on what the counseling would entail, calling it a "private and personal matter." He also told reporters that he could not say for certain if he would miss any further football activities going forward.
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Last week, photos published in the New York Post showed Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging at a luxury hotel in Arizona.
After the pictures went viral, Russini and Vrabel both called the photos "misleading" and vehemently denied rumors of an affair. The journalist has been married to Kevin Goldschmidt since 2020 while the football coach has been married to his wife Jennifer since 1999.
Russini's Athletic editor Steven Ginsberg also came to their defense, telling NBC News that the photos lacked "essential context."
"These were public interactions in front of many people," Ginsberg said. "Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we're proud to have her at The Athletic."
Russini ultimately resigned from the publication on Apr. 14.
On Apr. 23, after Vrabel announced his intent to seek counseling, Page Six released photos that appeared to show Russini and Vrabel kissing at a bar in New York City in March 2020-seemingly confirming the alleged affair and sparking questions about the timeline of the pair's relationship.
In a statement obtained on Apr. 23, by Page Six, the New England Patriots said it supports Vrabel's decision to prioritize his family, which includes his wifeand their two sons.
"The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel's decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being," the statement read. "Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment."
"We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process," the statement continued. "While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and [Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel] Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend."
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:32 PM.