Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel are seen enjoying a spot of breakfast together in new bombshell photos from their vacation at an adults-only resort in Arizona last month.
Sports reporter Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic last week after she was pictured at the resort with Vrabel, the head coach of the New England Patriots.
The suggestive snaps showed the pair hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at the $2,500-per-night getaway in Sedona, Arizona on March 28, leading to allegations that they have been having an affair. Russini and Vrabel, who are both married with children, have denied those accusations and claimed they were with a larger group.
Now Page Six has published new photos of Russini and Vrabel having breakfast together, which were allegedly taken on the same morning of March 28.
While sources close to both parties insist they were joined by a group of friends, ‘multiple eyewitnesses’ reportedly claimed they were actually ‘alone’ at the time.
The photos appear to show Vrabel sat across the table from Russini, yet only the side of the NFL coach’s head is visible in one of the images, meaning it cannot be determined whether anyone is sitting next to him.
Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel are seen enjoying breakfast together in new bombshell photos
Sports reporter Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic last week over the scandal
Russini, who is sat in clear view of the camera, does not appear to be sitting next to anyone at the table.
A source also reportedly told Page Six that Russini and Vrabel seemingly tried to go incognito after their breakfast by walking to several places in the resort separately throughout the day.
‘One of them would go ahead and then the other would wait for a few seconds or so, and then they would follow a few steps ahead,’ the insider alleged before adding that it seemed as if ‘they really didn’t want to be seen walking together.’
Daily Mail has approached Dianna Russini and the New England Patriots for comment.
Hours after their alleged breakfast for two, Russini and Vrabel were pictured kicking back and relaxing poolside and embracing each other at the Sedona resort.
The Patriots coach has admitted he’s been forced to have ‘difficult conversations with people I care about’ as he addressed the scandal for the first time on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters as his team started their offseason program, an emotional Vrabel said: ‘I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about about – with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.
Vrabel addressed the Russini drama for the first time at a Patriots press conference on Tuesday
The NFL coach has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and share two children
Russini tied the knot with husband Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020. They have two sons together
‘Those have been positive and productive. We believe that in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me.
‘We never want our actions to negatively affect team, we never want to cause a distraction. I care deeply about this football team and I’m excited to coach them. I’m going to attack each day with humility and focus.
‘What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward.’
Despite the scandal, the NFL has decided not to investigate Vrabel’s behavior as part of the league’s personal conduct policy, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN.
However, Russini was placed on leave by The Athletic, The Daily Mail learned, before ultimately resigning last week. Her contract was reportedly set to expire at the end of June.
As The Daily Mail previously reported, the New York Times, which owns The Athletic, launched an investigation into the photos when contacted by Page Six, who published the photos last week.
A defiant Russini insisted that her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel
A defiant Russini insisted that her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel.
‘I do so [resign] 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,’ she said.
‘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.’
