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Vrabel and Russini Deny Impropriety After Sedona Photos as The Athletic Backs Reporter

The episode renews scrutiny of reporter–source relationships in the NFL.

Overview

  • Photos published Tuesday by Page Six showed Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at the Ambiente resort in Sedona on March 28.
  • Vrabel called the encounter “completely innocent,” and Russini said the pictures omit a larger group of six they were with during the day.
  • The Athletic’s executive editor Steven Ginsberg said the images are misleading and described the interactions as public and in front of many people.
  • Accounts conflict on context, with friends saying each arrived with separate companions and multiple witnesses telling Page Six they saw only the two together.
  • Both are married, no team or league action has been announced, and the coverage has resurfaced a 2015 allegation against Russini that ended with a public apology and fresh debate over access-driven reporting.