{"id":593037,"date":"2026-04-08T08:29:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/593037\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T08:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:29:36","slug":"nfls-mike-vrabel-dianna-russini-react-after-vacation-photos-emerge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/593037\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL\u2019s Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini React After Vacation Photos Emerge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally appeared on E! Online<\/a><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini<\/a> are sharing their side of the story.<\/p>\n

Hours after photos surfaced of the New England Patriots<\/a>\u2019 head coach and The Athletic\u2019s NFL<\/a> reporter visiting a Sedona, Ariz., hotel together, the pair spoke out against claims that their encounter was romantic.<\/p>\n

In the photos obtained by Page Six<\/a>, Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, shared a hug and appeared to dance with their fingers interlocked while on the roof of the Sedona hotel. Other pics show the pair lounging in their swimsuits by the pool and sitting in the hot tub together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,\u201d Vrabel\u2014who celebrated his 26th anniversary with wife Jen Vrabel last year\u2014said in an April 7 statement to Page Six. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t deserve any further response.\u201d<\/p>\n

For her part, Russini\u2014mom to two kids with Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt\u2014noted the pictures did not include everyone that she and the NFL coach were on vacation with. <\/p>\n

More from E! Online<\/p>\n

\u201cThe photos don\u2019t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,\u201d she told the outlet. \u201cLike most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russini\u2019s executive editor at The Athletic Steven Ginsberg also came to her defense, telling Page Six in a statement, \u201cThese photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we\u2019re proud to have her at the Athletic.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

John Tlumacki\/The Boston Globe via Getty Images; Cindy Ord\/Getty Images for Fanatics<\/p>\n

E! News has reached out to reps for Vrabel and Russini for comment and has not heard back.<\/p>\n

In September, Russini commemorated her fifth wedding anniversary with Goldschmidt, sharing a touching tribute to her Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy Anniversary to my own parents\u2019 favorite person,\u201d she wrote alongside a picture from their 2020 wedding, \u201cand mine too.\u201d <\/p>\n

Read on for a look into the love lives of other stars from the NFL community.<\/p>\n

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

\"<p>Matthew<\/p>\n

After 12 seasons leading the Lions’ offense, the team swapped quarterbacks with the Rams in 2021, meaning longtime Bloomfield Hills, Mich., residents Matthew Stafford and Kelly Stafford<\/a> were off to L.A.\u2014where he promptly won a Super Bowl in his first season with his new team.<\/p>\n

And it turned out he had a secret weapon in the pocket with him: Yes, it was his wife’s unflagging support<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kelly shared on TODAY<\/a> after the Rams’ win that she wrote her husband letters before every game leading up to the big one in February 2022. “It was just how much I thought he truly deserved this, and why I thought he deserved it,” she said. “The most important thing at the end of the day is that we all have each other.”<\/p>\n

Married since April 4, 2015, the Staffords are parents of four daughters<\/a>: twins Chandler and Sawyer (born March 31, 2017), Hunter Hope (Aug. 16, 2018) and Tyler Hall (June 28, 2020).<\/p>\n

Drake Maye, New England Patriots<\/p>\n

\"<p>Drake<\/p>\n

The No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft came to Foxborough, Mass., ready to start on the field, but the 23-year-old hasn’t played the field possibly ever, having been in a relationship with fellow North Carolina Tar Heel Ann Michael Hudson for more than a decade.<\/p>\n

“9 years with you and it keeps getting better everyday,” Ann wrote Oct. 30, 2024, on Instagram<\/a>. “I couldn\u2019t imagine my life with out you as my best friend. I love you more than you know!”<\/p>\n

After wrapping up his rookie NFL season, Drake popped the question<\/a>, captioning their Jan. 15, 2025, engagement announcement, “Love doing life with you. Can’t wait to marry you!”<\/p>\n

The endgame sweethearts tied the knot<\/a> in June 2025.<\/p>\n

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n

\"<p>Sam<\/p>\n

University of South Carolina alum Katie Hoofnagle’s Instagram bio boasts stops in North Carolina, Minnesota and Washington, reflecting her own road as the partner of a journeyman quarterback.<\/p>\n

Before joining the Seahawks, Sam popped the question<\/a> in his hometown of Dana Point, Calif., in July 2025.<\/p>\n

Celebrating his birthday a month before their engagement, Katie wrote on Instagram<\/a>, “Amidst the chaos of our everyday lives, every day spent with you is filled with an abundance of peace, laughter, presence, joy, and love. Here\u2019s to another trip around the sun sharing good meals, good music, and good company. Happy 28th birthday to my better half, I love you more.”<\/p>\n

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n

\"<p>Josh<\/p>\n

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos<\/p>\n

\"<p>Bo<\/p>\n

Bo had already met his teammate for life, Auburn cheerleader Izzy Smoke, by the time he transferred to Oregon after three seasons of playing for the Tigers.<\/p>\n

He proposed<\/a> in August 2021 before his first of two years with the Ducks. Izzy graduated in 2022 and the couple married that July.<\/p>\n

The now Denver-based pair revealed<\/a> in October 2025 that they’re expecting their first baby together.<\/p>\n

Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jarrett<\/p>\n

Jarrett backed up Bo Nix throughout the 2025-26 season, only to be named the AFC Championship Game starter after the Broncos’ starting quarterback suffered an ankle fracture at the end of their division round win.<\/p>\n

Backing up Jarrett throughout the season\u2014and since they met as students at Baylor\u2014was his wife Kennedy Stidham (n\u00e9e Brown).<\/p>\n

They tied the knot in 2019 and have three children together, welcoming their youngest in October 2025.<\/p>\n

“My rock through season,” Jarrett captioned a pic of them, Kennedy sporting a No. 8 sweater in honor of her favorite player.<\/p>\n

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n

\"<p>Patrick<\/p>\n

“I was not prepared for this,” Brittany Mahomes<\/a> told CBS News<\/a> in July 2023 of the whirlwind of accolades and excitement that came with falling for QB1 at Whitehouse High School in their native Texas. “And at such a young age. We were in love and I loved him with all of my heart. But, you know, I didn’t expect it to skyrocket this soon, and us kind of just being thrown into the fire like this.”<\/p>\n

Patrick proposed at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 1, 2020, the day the Chiefs were presented with their Super Bowl LIV rings, and they tied the knot March 12, 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The athlete told CBS that being dad to daughter Sterling Skye, born Feb. 20, 2021, and Patrick “Bronze” Lavone Mahomes III, born Nov. 28, 2022<\/a>, gave him “a much better understanding of being present and enjoying” the game of football.<\/p>\n

“When my kids grow up,” he explained, “I wanted them to see that dad wasn’t just gone just to be gone. I was gone doing something, to build, to be great. And so, whenever they get older, they can see how hard I worked.”<\/p>\n

Brittany gave birth to daughter <\/a>Golden Raye<\/a> on Jan. 12, 2025, her name another nod to precious metal<\/a> ahead of the Chiefs’ 10th straight trip to the postseason.<\/p>\n

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

\"<p>Aaron<\/p>\n

After high-profile romances with Olivia Munn, Danica Patrick and Shailene Woodley, Rodgers got married a couple months before signing a one-year deal with the Steelers and\u2014though he mentioned dating a Brittani in December 2024\u2014has never publicly identified his wife since confirming he was wearing a wedding ring at a team minicamp in June 2025.<\/p>\n

But he did say he had “the most incredible wife<\/a>,” telling Sports Illustrated, “I just really love her and I\u2019m so grateful to have her by my side at the end. When you have that stability and that rock behind you at the house, you feel like you could do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

The onetime Super Bowl winner with the Packers explained, \u201cWhen you meet the right one, and you\u2019re with the right one, your world changes in a second. To have that person who loves you unconditionally behind the scenes, there\u2019s no better feeling in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n

\"<p>Justin<\/p>\n

Herbert and Madison Beer were first spotted hanging out in August 2025, and soon enough they confirmed their romance with some PDA on the sideline at one of his games in October.<\/p>\n

Later in the month, they were looking cozy courtside at the Lakers and at a World Series game.<\/p>\n

For the Grammy nominee’s 27th birthday in March 2026, the NFL star professed his love, writing on Instagram, \u201cHappy birthday to my favorite person of all time. I love you so much. You\u2019ve changed my life forever.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jared<\/p>\n

The low-key Lion married<\/a> model Christen Harper on June 22, 2024, at the Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, Calif.<\/p>\n

“I swore that he messaged me first,” Christen\u2014Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s co-Rookie of the Year in 2022 and a star of the web series Women of the League\u2014told Fox News Digital<\/a> in 2023 of meeting her future husband on the dating app Raya in 2018. “But when we went and looked back, I actually sent the first message. So all you ladies out there, you better send the first message because you never know\u2014you gotta shoot your shot.”<\/p>\n

While the co-founder of the wellness app Planted is a permanent fixture on the sidelines rooting for No. 16, Christen called Jared “just the best cheerleader” when it came to her goals as well.<\/p>\n

“It’s so fun because I get to cheer him on for his football season,” she said. “But he is the number one supporter, the number one person that’s just in my court.”<\/p>\n

They’ve since added to their cheering section, welcoming daughter <\/a>Romy Isabelle Goff<\/a> in July 2025.<\/p>\n

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jalen<\/p>\n

Not one to flout his relationship on social media, Jalen confirmed to Essence in 2023<\/a> that he was “spoken for,” and the woman doing the speaking was IT specialist Bryonna “Bry” Burrows.<\/p>\n

They dated at University of Alabama, before Jalen finished his college career at Oklahoma and was drafted in 2020, but “I knew a long time ago,” he said about their future together. “I mean, to this point in my life, that\u2019s an irreplaceable feeling. I think that’s what allowed us to get to where we are now.”<\/p>\n

Essence subsequently got the scoop on their engagement<\/a> in September 2024 and Bry was Jalen’s wife<\/a> by the time Men’s Health published an April 22 cover story on the 2025 Super Bowl winner.<\/p>\n

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

\"<p>Brock<\/p>\n

The 262nd pick in the 2022 NFL draft was never Mr. Irrelevant to Jenna Brandt.<\/p>\n

And while the 49ers have another sort of bauble in mind, Brock popped the question in July 2023 and the couple married in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 9, 2024.<\/p>\n

On July 28, 2025, the couple jointly shared<\/a>, “Life just became a whole lot sweeter,” as they announced the arrival of daughter Millie Joleen Purdy.<\/p>\n

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/p>\n

\"<p>Baker<\/p>\n

Baker’s football fortunes were all over the place for a couple of years before the Bucs took a chance in 2023 and ended up in the playoffs. But throughout the journey, Emily Wilkinson Mayfield has been along for the ride<\/p>\n

Baker, a Heisman winner with the University of Oklahoma, met Emily in 2017 and proposed six months later, so she’s been there for all of the ups and downs since he went No. 1 in the 2018 NFL draft to the Browns.<\/p>\n

And the fairer half of the Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation<\/a> is certainly in it for the long haul.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy 4 year anniversary to my sweet husband,” Emily posted to Instagram<\/a> on July 10, 2024. “These last few years we have grown in so many ways, and I am SO proud of where we are in our marriage.”<\/p>\n

And indeed it was quite the rebuilding year: The couple welcomed daughter Kova Jade Mayfield<\/a> on April 9, 2024, and announced in November 2025 that baby No. 2 is due<\/a> in April 2026.<\/p>\n

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n

\"<p>Jordan<\/p>\n

Ronika Stone, a professional volleyball player and daughter of retired Super Bowl champ Ron Stone, rocks Packers merch<\/a> with pride. And when she and her future mother-in-law Anna Love weren’t exactly given the VIP treatment<\/a> at Arrowhead Stadium during an away game against the Kansas City Chiefs game in 2021, she handled it with grace and humor.<\/p>\n

“I always wanted to be on sportscenter…thought it’d be for volleyball tho,” Ronika posted to Instagram after a pic of she and Jordan’s mother sitting in the nosebleeds<\/a> went viral.<\/p>\n

Knowing a ride or die when he sees one, Love popped the question<\/a> while they were in Italy in June 2024.<\/p>\n

“First step to forever,” they posted on Instagram June 23. They tied the knot<\/a> a year later.<\/p>\n

The couple topped that news with their Jan. 1, 2026, announcement that Ronika was pregnant<\/a> with their first child together.<\/p>\n

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

\"<p>Joe<\/p>\n

The unexpected savior of the Cleveland Browns’ 2023-24 playoff chances was Super Bowl winner (with the Ravens) Joe Flacco, who was busy playing stay-at-home dad to his five kids with wife Dana Grady Flacco when he got the call.<\/p>\n

“Joe’s not one to sit still,\u201d Dana told Cleveland.com ahead of the playoffs in 2024. “He was always like, ‘What can I do? I\u2019m just going to get you a coffee.’ I think I had like seven coffees a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

The couple, together since senior year at Audubon High School in New Jersey, married on June 25, 2011. They welcomed Stephen in June 2012, Daniel in September 2013, Francis in January 2015, Evelyn in September 2016 and Thomas in April 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely changed how I spend time in the off-season,” Joe said in a Ravens promo video<\/a>. “Me and my wife look at each other and wonder what we did before we had them, because you\u2019re just wrapped up in those guys.”<\/p>\n

Not ready to hang up his helmet just yet, Joe signed a one-year deal with the Colts to back up second-year QB Anthony Richardson in 2024 and then agreed to another season with the Browns for $4 million in 2025 before being traded to the Bengals five weeks into the season.<\/p>\n

Russell Wilson, New York Giants<\/p>\n

\"<p>Russell<\/p>\n

“He and I share the same vision for our babies, which I think makes the world of a difference, that we\u2019re on the same page,” Ciara<\/a>, who married Russ in 2016, told Sports Illustrated<\/a> in 2022. “It\u2019s important that our kids\u2014you know, they have way more access than we had growing up\u2014so we want to make sure we keep them humble in the process to make sure they do things like having to pick up after themselves and knowing that life isn\u2019t going to be handed to you.”<\/p>\n

Russ joined the Broncos in 2022 after 10 seasons in Seattle and gained a new team member off the field as well: Daughter Amora Princess Wilson<\/a> was born in December 2023, joining Future Zahir (Ciara’s son with rapper Future, born May 2019), daughter Sienna (April 2017), and son Win (July 2020), in the family lineup. <\/p>\n

After two lackluster seasons in Denver, he was in comeback-player-of-the-year form with the Steelers. But they also acquired former Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields in 2024, so Russ moved on to sign a one-year deal with the New York Giants in 2025.<\/p>\n

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

\"<p>Dak<\/p>\n

The team’s quarterback first sparked romance rumors with Sarah Jane Ramos in September 2023 when she shared photos of herself watching a Cowboys game with his sister-in-law Holly Prescott.<\/p>\n

In November 2023, Sarah and Dak announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Margaret Jane Rose Prescott was born Feb. 22, 2024<\/a>, and Dak ran it in for the game winner in October.<\/p>\n

“Mine Forever!!!!” he captioned his Oct. 18 proposal pic<\/a>. “The Best Friend, Partner, Teammate, Mother, and Now Fianc\u00e9 I could Ask or Pray for! Thank you God for this Blessing and Family! I Love you.”<\/p>\n

The couple welcomed their second daughter<\/a>, Aurora Rayne, on May 22, 2025.<\/p>\n

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

\"<p>Kirk<\/p>\n

Sure, offensive lines are great, but it’s Julie Hampton Cousins who really has Kirk’s back.<\/p>\n

The elementary school teacher, who married Kirk in 2014, “thrives in the work of supporting” her husband, she told People.<\/a> “I love hosting people for games, cooking and planning snacks and meals. I also enjoy organizing all kinds of stuff for Kirk off the field, like his bodywork, making sure we all get good sleep and that we’re getting in quality time with our boys. It’s a very unique job, but I’m very happy to be in it.”<\/p>\n

And while Kirk, 37, is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, he got to fulfill his dream to play when sons Cooper (born Sept. 29, 2017) and Turner (March 10, 2019) could “really remember it and will have enjoyed being a part of it.”<\/p>\n

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n

\"<p>Trevor<\/p>\n

Marissa Lawrence has been cheering her husband on since their Cartersville High School days in Georgia\u2014and their photo album includes memories of every milestone, from their senior prom to their April 10, 2021, wedding day to Trevor going No. 1 to the Jaguars just weeks later and many tropical vacations since.<\/p>\n

“Every year gets sweeter with you @marissa_lawrence,” Trevor wrote on their anniversary in 2023<\/a>. “2 years down already and we\u2019ve made so many memories and experienced so much together. Excited for all the years to come. I love you more than you know.”<\/p>\n

And he wasn’t kidding about the progressively sweeter years: The couple revealed in June 2024<\/a> that “a little Lawrence” was on the way and daughter Shae Lynn Lawrence arrived Jan. 4, 2025<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Kenny Pickett, Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

\"<p>Kenny<\/p>\n

The only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft reported for Steelers’ training camp in 2023 a married man, swapping vows<\/a> with former Princeton soccer player Amy Paternoster on June 24.<\/p>\n

The couple, who started dating in 2021, honeymooned in Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

On Amy’s 22nd birthday Feb. 13, 2023, Kenny posted to Instagram<\/a>, “Extremely grateful for you every day and spending the rest of my life with you will be the greatest honor I could ask for.”<\/p>\n

They enjoyed their first wedding anniversary vacationing in Napa, Calif., before Kenny reported for duty with the Philadelphia Eagles to back up Jalen Hurts.<\/p>\n

After sharing in the Eagles’ 2025 Super Bowl win, Kenny was traded to the Browns, but ended up on the Raiders’ roster before the 2025-26 season began.<\/p>\n

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

\"<p>Tua<\/p>\n

After his fifth-year option was picked up by the Dolphins in March 2023, Tua admitted to reporters that he considered retiring after his injury-marred 2022 season.<\/p>\n

And not least because he had so many wonderful things to stay home for.<\/p>\n

“Never one to put my private life out there. But this one deserved a post,” Tua wrote on July 17, 2023, sharing a one-time-only snap<\/a> of his love Annah Tagovailoa. “Happy 1 Year Anniversary to my beautiful wife. I love you.”<\/p>\n

In a rare peek into his off-field world<\/a>, Tua told reporters in November 2022 that he was thankful for his wife and new baby (son Ace, born in August 2022, made his public debut<\/a> at the Tua Foundation luau benefit the following April).<\/p>\n

“It’s very unique how having a child impacts how you see things differently in life. It\u2019s like nothing that I\u2019ve experienced,” Tua said. “There\u2019s no playbook for this because everyone\u2019s experience is different, whether you\u2019re having a boy first or a girl.”<\/p>\n

That being said, he added, “I thank my heavenly Father up above that I got a boy first. Oh, man. I don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do if I had a girl. It’d be a little harder, I think, because I wouldn\u2019t know what to do necessarily.”<\/p>\n

Tua and Anna have since welcomed daughter Maisey.<\/p>\n

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App<\/p>\n