New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said the media ‘should be held accountable’ after a photo of him with NFL reporter Diana Russini was released ahead of Thursday night’s NFL Draft.
A photo of recently married Vrabel and Lucini holding hands at a resort in Arizona was released.
Russini has since resigned from The Athletic, and Vrabel said he had “difficult conversations” with his family and the Patriots organization earlier this week.
Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first season as head coach, announced late Wednesday that he was leaving for counseling and would not attend Day 3 of Saturday’s NFL Draft.
Page Six published images taken at a New York bar in 2020, and TMZ published photos taken at a Mississippi casino in 2024. New York Post and TMZ.
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The Seattle Seahawks have a highlight from Super Bowl 60 against the New England Patriots in California.
“I want to share some news about my current situation. I understand you have questions, but I need to take responsibility for my actions and how I have distracted the people I care about the most,” Vrabel said.
“My family, this football team, the club and our fans. My previous behavior did not meet the standards I hold myself to. They do not.”
“I believe the two most important things in my life – what’s best for my family and this football team – are for us to do what it takes to work together and give them what I said I would give them, which is the best version of me.
“That’s what we’re going to do. It’s started and it’s going to continue this weekend, it’s going to continue no matter how long it takes.
“My priorities are my family and this football team. My family needs me this weekend, and that’s where I’ll be.
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Watch the moment and player reactions when the Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft 2026.
The Patriots released a statement Thursday highlighting their support of Vrabel and expressing confidence in “the leadership and communication Mike has established with the personnel staff throughout this draft preparation process.”
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to put his family and his own well-being first,” the Patriots said in a statement.
“Mike has made open to us his commitment to being the best he can be for his family, team and fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to fulfill that promise.”
When asked about his decision to miss draft day on Saturday, Vrabel insisted it was “necessary” as he prioritized his family.
The NFL recently confirmed in an interview with ESPN that Commissioner Roger Goodell is not investigating the matter.
“This is not a personal conduct policy as we know it today,” Goodell said Thursday. “It’s a personal matter, so I’ll leave it at this.
“I think the team deals with these issues when they are personal. There is a lot more information that can be helpful to the people involved.”
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, took over as head coach last offseason and led New England to Super Bowl LX, where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara last February.
Watch Day 2 of the NFL Draft live from midnight on Friday on Sky Sports Main Event, Action and Mix. The draft will then conclude with Day 3 on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action from 5pm.
