Diana Russini Leaves The Athletic Following Photos with Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel

Resignation of NFL Insider Diana Russini from The Athletic

NFL insider Diana Russini has stepped down from her position at The Athletic following an investigation tied to a recent photo of her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, taken last week at a luxury resort in Arizona.

Both individuals are married to others.

Russini announced her resignation via X (formerly Twitter), stating simply, “I have submitted my resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below.”

In her resignation letter addressed to a colleague named Stephen, Russini expressed regret yet affirmed her decision as what she believed was best for herself and her family. She mentioned her long-standing commitment to covering the NFL with dedication and professionalism.

She noted that while The Athletic had initially supported her amidst the fallout from the Page Six article, the ensuing media speculation made her uncomfortable. Russini criticized the fast-paced media frenzy that seemed to ignore the ongoing review process at The Athletic. She felt overwhelmed by the potential for public scrutiny and decided to resign before her contract ended on June 30.

Despite being affected by the circumstances, Russini emphasized her pride in her work during her more than 15 years in sports journalism, including her time at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic. She acknowledged the support she received from her colleagues at The Athletic and wished them success moving forward.

Additionally, the leadership at The Athletic indicated that while they initially backed Russini, new details had surfaced concerning her relationship with Vrabel that raised concerns.

Last month, Vrabel, a former Super Bowl champion, was photographed in a hot tub with Russini, prompting scrutiny regarding potential violations of ethical guidelines for journalists interacting with interview subjects.

The Athletic’s ethical standards assert that credibility hinges on avoiding any semblance of conflict of interest, which could jeopardize trust with readers.