Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini have both issued statements after pictures surfaced earlier this week
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and The Athletic reporter Diana Russini have both issued statements after they were pictured holding hands and hugging at a resort in Arizona. The two are married to other partners but have denied any talk of romantic involvement after they were pictured at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona on Saturday, March 28.
Page Six published the photos showing 50-year-old Vrabel and 43-year-old Russini holding hands and reportedly dancing together at the luxury resort. The report claims the New England coach had been at a scouting event at the Arizona State University in Tempe on Friday, March 27, before travelling to the hotel.
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.”
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Vrabel celebrated his 26th wedding anniversary to wife Jen Vrabel last year and has two children, 25-year-old Tyler who is the offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons and Carter, 24.
Reporter Russini also issued a statement, claiming to have been on holiday with a group of friends who were not pictured.
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 husband Kevin Goldschmit, an executive at Shake Shack. The report claims a source close to the former ESPN anchor told them 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.”
Mirror Sport has contacted the Athletic and the New England Patriots for further comment.
Vrabel is former Patriots linebacker who spent eight seasons with the team, before being appointed head coach in January 2025.
He made an immediate impact and guided the franchise to a surprise Super Bowl appearance earlier this year, earning the NFL Coach of the Year.
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