Vrabel denies wrongdoing after photos with NFL reporter surface online
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed recent photos showing himself, The New York Times and The Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini in swimsuits poolside.
photos, originally published The New York Post’s Page Six also shows the coach and the journalist holding hands and embracing on the rooftop of a vacation bungalow in Sedona, Arizona.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction, and any suggestion other than that is laughable,” Vrabel told the Post. “This deserves no further response.”
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel celebrates with team members after a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
Russini also responded.
“The photos are not representative of the group of six people hanging out throughout the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.” Russini said.
The Athletic released its own statement to the outlet.
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” said Steven Ginsberg, editor-in-chief of The Athletic. “These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a leading journalist covering the NFL, and we are proud to have her at The Athletic.”
PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL SEEMS TO RESPOND AFTER RUN BACK DEFENDING JADEN IVEY’S ANTI-LGBTQ STATEMENTS
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel watches the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP)
Vrabel is coming off a season in which he led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and won NFL Coach of the Year honors.
Vrabel won the award in Super Bowl LX on Sunday over rival Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks, Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers, Liam Coen of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears.
This was the second time Vrabel won the award in his coaching career. He received 19 out of 50 votes in first place and a total of 302 points.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a press conference following the NFL wild card playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Charles Krupa/AP)
Vrabel won the award while leading for the first time Tennessee Titans In 2021.
Vrabel became the seventh coach to win Coach of the Year honors for multiple teams, joining Chuck Knox, Bill Parcells, Bruce Arians, Dan Reeves, Don Shula and George Allen.
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