{"id":207352,"date":"2026-04-23T16:25:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/207352\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T16:25:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:25:08","slug":"dianna-russini-and-married-mike-vrabel-caught-kissing-at-nyc-bar-taken-6-years-before-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/207352\/","title":{"rendered":"Dianna Russini and married Mike Vrabel caught kissing at NYC bar taken 6 years before scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were \u201call over each other\u201d at a secluded bar in New York City \u2014 six years before they were caught holding hands and hugging<\/a> at an Arizona resort.<\/p>\n

As seen in exclusive new pics obtained by Page Six, the New England Patriots coach and the NFL reporter were spotted together inside the dimly lit Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020.<\/p>\n

They sat close to each other while conversing at the bar, at one point appearing to share a kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were kissing and they were all over each other,\u201d an eyewitness told Page Six. \u201cHe had a ring on.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the time the photos were snapped, Vrabel was already married to wife Jen<\/a>, while Russini said \u201cI do\u201d to her now-husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt<\/a>, just six months later. Each shares two kids with their respective partners.<\/p>\n

Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel were \u201call over each other\u201d at a bar in New York City back in 2020, as seen in new pics exclusively obtained by Page Six. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were kissing and they were all over each other,\u201d an eyewitness told Page Six of the sports reporter and the New England Patriots coach (pictured above). \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a ring on,\u201d the source added, referring to Vrabel\u2019s wedding band, which is visible in the newly released pics. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

The sportscaster and the NFL coach \u2014 whose wedding ring was visible in the photos \u2014 were \u201cvery close to each other\u201d throughout the evening, according to our insider, who witnessed Russini\u2019s legs \u201cin between [Vrabel\u2019s] legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The eyewitness told Page Six that Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, were at the \u201chole in the wall\u201d bar around 12 a.m. and stayed for at least an hour, flying under the radar.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were having a glorious time. They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly,\u201d the source added. \u201cThere was nobody in there. Nobody knew who they were. I don\u2019t even think the bartenders did.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the time the photos were snapped, Vrabel was working as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, while Russini was an NFL reporter at ESPN, extensively covering the team.<\/p>\n

The reporter posted a photo of herself on the ESPN set with host Laura Rutledge just hours before her bar outing with Vrabel, joking in the caption, \u201cA blonde. A brunette. And a red head walk into a bar\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n

The duo (seen above) were photographed together inside the dimly lit Tribeca Tavern on the evening of March 10, 2020, into the early morning hours. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

The images were snapped while Vrabel was already married to wife Jen \u2014 and six months before Russini wed her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

According to our eyewitness, Russini and Vrabel were at the \u201chole in the wall\u201d bar (as seen above) around 12 a.m., and stayed for at least an hour, flying under the radar. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

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Page Six contacted both Vrabel and Russini on Wednesday afternoon regarding the photos. While neither commented for this story, Vrabel told ESPN just hours later that he will miss day three of the NFL draft<\/a> to enter counseling.<\/p>\n

He said, \u201cAs I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father, and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bombshell new pics come six years before Page Six obtained photos of Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging<\/a> at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona \u2014 a boutique resort with stunning views of the Brins Mesa mountain range.<\/p>\n

We previously reported that the two enjoyed breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant <\/a>on the morning of March 28, later hanging out at the pool for about an hour before lounging side-by-side in the hot tub.<\/p>\n

They were also spotted on the private rooftop of one of the hotel\u2019s bungalows \u2014 an area that\u2019s only accessible from the two-person bungalows, which cost up to $2,160 a night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were having a glorious time. They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly,\u201d the insider said. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

The source added, \u201cThere was nobody in there. Nobody knew who they were. I don\u2019t even think the bartenders did.\u201d \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

Reps for Russini and Vrabel did not immediately respond to Page Six\u2019s requests for comment. \u00a9 Page Six<\/p>\n

As seen in the photos, which Page Six released on April 7<\/a>, they held hands and faced each other, even briefly dancing together at one point.<\/p>\n

Despite multiple eyewitnesses telling us they only spotted Russini and Vrabel together, the two insisted to Page Six that they were joined by friends on the trip, who were simply not pictured.<\/p>\n

A source close to Russini claimed she was at the hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends at the time, while Vrabel\u2019s friend told us that the coach and pals drove to Sedona for just the day. They allegedly took the two-hour drive back to their own hotel after spending time with Russini and her group.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,\u201d Vrabel said in a statement to Page Six at the time. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t deserve any further response.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russini added in her own statement, \u201cThe photos don\u2019t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new images come after Page Six previously released pics of Russini and Vrabel together at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, on March 28, as seen above. \u00a9 Page SIx<\/p>\n

The pair were seen hugging at one point (pictured), hanging out at a pool and spending time together in a hot tub. \u00a9 Page SIx<\/p>\n

Despite multiple eyewitnesses telling Page Six that Vrabel and Russini were alone, the two insisted they were joined on the trip by friends, who were simply not pictured. \u00a9 Page SIx<\/p>\n

Russini had been working as a top sports reporter for the Athletic when the first set of photos was released earlier this month. While the company initially supported her, she resigned from her position amid their investigation into the photos.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,\u201d she wrote in her resignation letter<\/a>, which was released on April 14 and obtained by Page Six.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russini added, however, that \u201cin the days that followed,\u201d \u201ccommentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation\u201d that was \u201csimply unmoored\u201d from the facts.<\/p>\n

Russini and her husband, Shake Shack executive Goldschmidt, are pictured above at their September 2020 wedding \u2014 six months before the photos with Vrabel. Dianna Russini\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Vrabel and his wife (pictured above) have been married since 1999. Mike Vrabel\/X<\/p>\n

The coach (seen here with his wife and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in January 2025) publicly addressed the photo drama for the first time earlier this week. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cMoreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process the Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now \u2014 before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not 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

The Athletic\u2019s investigation<\/a> remains ongoing. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Vrabel publicly broke his silence on the scandal<\/a> earlier this week during a pre-NFL draft press conference<\/a> at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

Vrabel said in a pre-NFL draft press conference (as seen above) that he had \u201csome difficult conversations with people\u201d that he cares about \u2014 including his \u201cfamily, the organization, the coaches [and] the players\u201d \u2014 that were \u201cpositive.\u201d AP<\/p>\n

Russini posted a photo with co-host Laura Rutledge at ESPN\u2019s New York City studio hours before meeting up with Vrabel. Instagram\/ Dianna Russini<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me first begin by saying thank you for your patience that you\u2019ve shown in a personal and private matter \u2014 for me and obviously everyone involved. I know that\u2019s not easy for you, and I respect that, and I appreciate your efforts in doing so,\u201d the Patriots coach began.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand I could have addressed you sooner, but it was important to me I have a conversation with the players, which I did yesterday very candidly as we began our off-season program, which everyone is excited to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vrabel continued on, revealing that he had \u201csome difficult conversations with people\u201d that he cares about \u2014 including his \u201cfamily, the organization, the coaches [and] the players\u201d \u2014 that were \u201cpositive\u201d and productive in light of the photo drama.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me,\u201d he stated. \u201cWe never want our actions to negatively affect the team. We never want to be the cause of a distraction. There\u2019s comments and questions that I\u2019ve answered for the team and with the team, will keep those private and to ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were \u201call over each other\u201d at a secluded bar in New York City…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":207353,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[191,77321,68,11979,30756,9,56,63,65,64,319],"class_list":{"0":"post-207352","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-city","8":"tag-celebrity-news","9":"tag-dianna-russini","10":"tag-exclusive","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-mike-vrabel","13":"tag-new-york","14":"tag-ny","15":"tag-nyc","16":"tag-nyc-headlines","17":"tag-nyc-news","18":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207352\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/207353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}