The New England Patriots have thrown their support behind Mike Vrabel after he agreed to seek counseling over the Dianna Russini photo scandal.
Vrabel said on Wednesday that he will begin counseling this weekend following bombshell allegations that he had an affair with sports reporter Russini, which both parties have denied. He will miss the third day of this week’s NFL Draft as a result.
In a statement on Thursday, the Patriots said they ‘fully support’ their under-fire coach’s decision to ‘prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being.’
‘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,’ the team’s statement said.
‘We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process.
‘While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.’
The Patriots have thrown their support behind Mike Vrabel amid the Dianna Russini scandal
Vrabel is set to begin counseling this weekend following bombshell claims he had an affair with sports reporter Russini (right)
Shock photos emerged earlier this month showing Vrabel and Russini hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at a $2,500-per-night adults-only resort in Arizona, leading to allegations that they have been having an affair.
The pair, who are both married with children, have denied those accusations and instead claimed they were at the resort with a larger group.
Despite continuing to deny the claims on her way out, Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic last week over the scandal, while Vrabel has escaped punishment from both New England and the NFL.
After first breaking his silence on the allegations Tuesday, and admitting he has been forced to have ‘difficult conversations’ with loved ones, Vrabel revealed 24 hours later that he will be seeking counseling to become a ‘better person’ for both his family and the Patriots, starting this weekend.
‘As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,’ he told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
‘This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.
‘I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.’
Vrabel, who has two sons with wife Jen, will spend the entirety of this weekend outside of Massachusetts with his family.
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and share two children
Russini also shares two children with husband Kevin Goldschmidt, whom she married in 2020
The NFL insider stepped down from her job at The Athletic amid the stunning affair allegations
The initial photos of the NFL coach and Russini published by Page Six were reportedly captured at the getaway in Sedona, Arizona on March 28.
Earlier on Wednesday night, the outlet published new photos of the pair 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 his head is visible in one of the images, meaning it cannot be determined whether anyone is sitting next to him.
Russini, who is sat in clear view of the camera, does not appear to be sitting next to anyone at the table.
On Thursday it also emerged that Vrabel and the NFL insider were allegedly caught kissing at a secluded bar six years ago.
The latest batch of exclusive photos from the New York Post purportedly shows Vrabel, then-coach of the Tennessee Titans, at the now-closed Tribeca Tavern with Russini, who was working for ESPN and frequently covering the team at the time.
Vrabel, meanwhile, appears to have escaped punishment from both the Patriots and the NFL
He and Russini were also captured kissing at a secluded NYC barin 2020, it has been claimed
‘They were kissing and they were all over each other,’ one witness told Page Six of the March 11, 2020, encounter in New York. ‘He had a ring on.’
The source went on to describe the pair as ‘all over each other.’
‘They were having a glorious time,’ the source said. ‘They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly. There was nobody in there. Nobody knew who they were. I don’t even think the bartenders did.’
Russini was married to her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, later that year. Vrabel, meanwhile, has been married to his wife Jen since 1999. Both have two children.
