Mike Vrabel and a then-pregnant Dianna Russini rented a private boat together in 2021, according to TMZ, adding further intrigue to their alleged affair. The report, published Wednesday, cites an unnamed source with direct knowledge of the outing.
Details of the Boat Trip
TMZ reported that Vrabel and Russini spent two to three hours on the water in Putnam County, Tennessee, during Vrabel's tenure as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. The showbiz outlet obtained purported waivers for the voyage. Russini was pregnant at the time with her first child. Both Vrabel and Russini are married to other people, with two children each.
According to the report, Vrabel and Russini appeared cautious about being photographed. Vrabel approved one photo of him with staff as long as it wasn't posted, while Russini asked not to be photographed at all.
Fallout from the Scandal
Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic amid the brewing scandal. Vrabel, now head coach of the New England Patriots, faces questions about his future with the team, despite having led them to a Super Bowl in his first season. He has admitted to having "difficult conversations" with his family and announced he would seek counseling.
Earlier reports from Page Six showed photos of the pair appearing intimate at a Sedona, Arizona, resort. Additional photos surfaced of them kissing at a New York City bar in 2020 and hanging out at a Mississippi casino in 2024. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the alleged impropriety falls outside the league's personal conduct code.
HuffPost has reached out to representatives for Vrabel and Russini for comment. NBC Sports, People, and other outlets have also picked up the TMZ report.
