Vrabel's "Difficult Conversations" and the Photos That Put a Patriots Coach Under the Microscope
Mike Vrabel is promising the New England Patriots that they're getting "the best version of me going forward" after the New York Post published photos appearing to show the Patriots coach embracing and holding hands with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only Arizona resort.
Speaking Tuesday at Foxborough, Vrabel acknowledged the situation without going into specifics. "I've had some difficult conversations with people I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players," he said. "Those have been positive and productive."
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Vrabel called the matter "personal and private" and declined to detail his relationship with Russini or the circumstances of the photos showing them together at the Arizona resort. Both Vrabel and Russini, who are both married to other people, told the Post that the photos didn't accurately reflect their interaction.
The Post published the series of photos two weeks ago, which appeared to show them spending time together at a resort days before the NFL's league meetings in Phoenix. Russini, a reporter at The Athletic, initially received support from the outlet but announced last week that she was resigning from her role there.
The Message to Patriots Nation
Vrabel emphasized accountability, saying "we believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me." He stressed that the team never wants "our actions to negatively affect the team" or "to be the cause of a distraction."
Patriots players reported for voluntary workouts Monday, and Vrabel said those conversations with the locker room went in a positive direction. "There are comments and questions that I've answered for the team and with the team. We'll keep those private," he added.
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