{"id":452585,"date":"2026-09-03T21:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T21:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/452585\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T21:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T21:44:12","slug":"heres-what-patriots-coach-mike-vrabel-had-to-say-after-the-athletics-review-of-dianna-russinis-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/452585\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s what Patriots coach Mike Vrabel had to say after The Athletic’s review of Dianna Russini’s work"},"content":{"rendered":"

An investigation by The Athletic has concluded that former NFL reporter Dianna Russini violated the company\u2019s standards because of her relationship with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel that led to her resignation<\/a> in April.<\/p>\n

The report drew no conclusions about the nature of Russini\u2019s relationship with Vrabel, who said he took accountability for his actions without addressing photos released of the coach and the reporter at a resort in Arizona. He stepped away from the team on the third day of the NFL draft to begin counseling<\/a> and returned soon afterward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe neither completed an investigation nor reached any conclusion about the nature of the full relationship between Vrabel and Russini, but the totality of the public photographs are enough to conclude a violation of company policy,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n

Steven Ginsberg, executive editor at The Athletic, a New York Times-owned sports outlet, addressed the report in a message to employees Thursday.<\/p>\n

Vrabel said Thursday he didn\u2019t have any reaction to the report on Russini, adding he\u2019s \u201cmoved on\u201d as he prepares for this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have any reaction,\u201d the Boston Herald reported he said before practice. \u201cWe\u2019re moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe undertook this review to ensure the integrity of our journalism and to maintain the trust our audience places in us. Nothing is more important than our credibility,\u201d Ginsberg wrote.<\/p>\n

Mike Semel, editorial director for standards and quality at The Athletic, conducted the review of Russini\u2019s work, examining 903 stories, 204 episodes of her podcast and 77 videos.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe review found that the vast majority of Dianna\u2019s stories were unrelated to Vrabel, and most of those that mentioned him did not raise concerns,\u201d Ginsberg told the staff. \u201cWe have, however, added editor\u2019s notes to four stories \u2014 one written and three videos \u2014 that did not meet our standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

The photos of Vrabel and Russini were taken in Sedona, Arizona, before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New York Post. Vrabel and Russini are both married. The NFL did not investigate<\/a> Vrabel\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cRussini\u2019s relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic\u2019s standards,\u201d Semel wrote in the report. \u201cRegardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vrabel led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in February, where they lost to Seattle. He was the AP NFL Coach of the Year in his first season in New England, finishing 63 points ahead of Jacksonville\u2019s Liam Coen.<\/p>\n

Russini told the AP on Thursday that she stands by what she wrote in her resignation letter in April.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,\u201d Russini said then, adding she was stepping away \u201cnot because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

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