Football coach breaks silence over intimate photos that ended US sports reporter's career: 'Difficult conversations'

A high-profile married NFL football coach has broken his silence over photos of him on what appeared to be a romantic getaway with a female sports reporter, a week after she was forced to resign over the scandal.

Mike Vrabel, the New England Patriots coach who was photographed with sports reporter Dianna Russini, admitted he'd had "difficult conversations" with people he cares about, including his family, in the wake of the publication of the photos earlier this month.

Vrabel had not commented publicly about the photos, which were first published by Page Six on April 7, although he previously provided a statement to the media outlet saying they showed a "completely innocent interaction".

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Page Six first published the photos, which it said were taken two weeks earlier at a boutique resort in the tourist spot of Sedona, Arizona.

The photos showed the pair holding hands, embracing and lounging in the pool at the adults-only retreat, which is known for hosting romantic getaways.

However, both parties and Russini's employer denied anything inappropriate took place, and claimed they were part of a group staying at the hotel.

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Vrabel, 50, who took over as head coach of the Patriots in 2025, has been married to wife Jen since 1999. They share two adult sons, Tyler and Carter.

Russini, 43, is also married. She wed Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020, and they are parents to two young sons, Michael and Joey.

The coach broke his silence during a pre-NFL draft press conference on Tuesday, in which he thanked journalists for the patience "that you've shown in a personal and private matter".

He said while he could have addressed the matter sooner, it was important he first speak to the players.

"You know, I've had some difficult conversations with people that I care about; my family, the organisation, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive," he said.

"We believe that in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me and starts with me.

"We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. We never want to be the cause of a distraction.

"These are comments and questions I've answered for the team and with the team and I want to keep those private and to ourselves.

"What I can promise you is that my family [and] this organisation … will get the best version of me going forward."

Dianna Russini, who covered football for The New York Times affiliate The Athletic, resigned from her job a week after Page Six published the photos.

Both Russini and her employer had denied she and Vrabel were even alone at the hotel.

Regardless, Russini took to X to announce her resignation in a post which said, "Everything I have to say about it is below".

She included a copy of the resignation letter, which was dated April 14 and effective immediately.

"I have come to this decision with deep sadness but with clarity about what is right for me, my family and the work I have spent my career building," she wrote.

"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."

However, Russini said in the days since then, "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, fuelled 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," she said.

"Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now.

"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."

New York-based Russini said she remained proud of the career she built over 15 years, which included stints at ESPN and NBC.

In the wake of the photos being published, both parties and Russini's employer denied anything inappropriate took place.

Kravel told Page Six, "These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn't deserve any further response".

Russini told the same outlet, "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."

The Athletic's executive editor Steven Ginsberg also leapt to her defence.

"These photos are misleading and lack essential context," he said.

"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."

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