Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday night that he takes “accountability for my actions” following the emergence of photos with him embracing NFL reporter Dianna Russini. He added the situation has “caused a distraction to the people I care most about: my family, this football team, the organization, and the fans.” Vrabel told reporters in a news conference before the start of the NFL Draft: “My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. ... What I believe is best for the two most important things in my life, my family and this football team, is to take the necessary steps to work together and give them what I told them I’d give them, which is the best version of me.” He initially was scheduled to speak to the media after the first round, but opted to hold a brief news conference before the draft. His statement followed the release earlier in the day of additional photos by the New York Post of he and Russini from 2020. TMZ released photos of the pair at a casino in 2024.
Vrabel plans to spend this weekend with his family outside of Massachusetts, while remaining in contact with the team’s front office during the NFL Draft. Vrabel: “My priorities are my family and this football team. In that order. There is a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend. And that’s where I’ll be. After not taking questions when he met with the media Tuesday, Vrabel took a few questions Thursday but reiterated it was a private matter (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/23).
Mike Vrabel arrives and delivers an opening statement: My actions didn’t meet my standard … my family needs me this weekend. pic.twitter.com/icR9oveW0m
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 23, 2026
