Married NFL coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Diana Russini handle Arizona resort photographs
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and The Athletic reporter Diana Russini have both released statements
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has responded to the photos which surfaced earlier this week.
New England Patriots manager Mike Vrabel and The Athletic journalist Diana Russini have both released statements after they were photographed holding hands and embracing at a resort in Arizona.
The pair are wed to other people but have dismissed any suggestions of romantic involvement after they were snapped at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona on Saturday, March 28.
Page Six published the images showing 50-year-old Vrabel and 43-year-old Russini holding hands and allegedly dancing together at the upmarket resort. The report suggests the New England boss had attended a scouting event at Arizona State University in Tempe on Friday, March 27, before heading to the hotel.
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In a statement to Page Six, Vrabel said: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Vrabel marked his 26th wedding anniversary to wife Jen Vrabel last year and has two sons, 25 year old Tyler who plays offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons and Carter, 24, reports the Mirror.
Journalist Russini also released a statement, claiming to have been on holiday with a group of mates who weren’t photographed.
She said: “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.”
Russini has two children with her husband Kevin Goldschmit, an executive at Shake Shack. A source close to the former ESPN presenter told the report that she was staying at the hotel as part of a hiking trip with two female friends.
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, told PageSix.
“These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
The Daily Star has reached out to the Athletic and the New England Patriots for additional comment.
Vrabel is a former Patriots linebacker who spent eight seasons with the team, before taking up the role of head coach in January 2025.
He made an immediate impact and led the franchise to an unexpected Super Bowl appearance earlier this year, earning him the title of NFL Coach of the Year.
