(AP) — New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will not be with the team for Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday, following the publication of photos of the coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort.
The statement came before the New York Post’s Page Six on Thursday posted new photos that purportedly show Vrabel and Russini kissing at a New York City bar in March 2020.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said Wednesday night, according to ESPN. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.
“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
The initital photos of Vrabel and Russini at a Sedona resort that sparked the scandal were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New York Post, which published the photos this month.
Speaking about the new photos, Page Six said a witness told them that Russini and Vrabel “were kissing and they were all over each other … He had a ring on.”
Page Six reported that Vrabel was already married and that Russini would get married six months later.
The NFL said last weekend that it is not investigating Vrabel’s behavior.
Vrabel addressed the matter for the first time on Tuesday, telling reporters he’s had “difficult conversations with people I care about.”
Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, released written statements to the Post after the publication of the story downplaying what the photos depict. But Russini resigned from The Athletic less than a week later, after the Post’s report prompted an internal investigation at The New York Times-owned sports outlet.
Vrabel said he addressed players about the matter on Monday after they arrived for the start of the voluntary workout program. Two Patriots players were scheduled to be made available to reporters on Tuesday, but Vrabel said he wanted to speak before they did. He also said he didn’t want the interest in the Post photos to take attention away from the NFL draft, which begins Thursday.
NBC 10 News contributed to this report.
