The NFL was rocked by a journalist-head coach scandal last week. Pictures surfaced of The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and New England Patriots’ Mike Vrabel hanging out in an intimate way at a resort in Arizona. Both are married, but Russini’s jourrnalistic integrity was more in question than anything else.
After the pictures were unearthed, Russini’s employer launched an investigation to uncover the truth. Reportedly, the initial investigation revealed some more concerning details, although it was never clear what that meant. The investigation is still ongoing, but Russini has taken matters into her own hands in regards to her future.
Dianna Russini refuses to admit guilt, defends herself in statement
On Tuesday, it was reported that Russini has resigned from The Athletic. In a lengthy statement, Russini defended herself and made clear that her resignation isn’t an admission of guilt.
I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When 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. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. Moreover, 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. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now – 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.
Russini’s contract with The Athletic was set to expire on June 30. The reporter has sped up the timeline on her departure, choosing to not wait for the media outlet to make a decision following their investigation. The optics might look better if she resigns than if she’s fired, but her reputation has suffered irreparable damage.
People might not know now if The Athletic was going to fire her or not. It’s unlikely that details of their investigation are made public, so people won’t know if everything that’s being said about Russini is true or not.
Russini will now likely go into a long spell of silence. Her credibility and overall reputation has taken a massive hit, and it’s fair to wonder if any major news outlet will hire her now. Vrabel, meanwhile, seems to not be affected by any of this.
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