A female NFL reporter has blasted Dianna Russini in response to the NFL insider’s resignation from The Athletic this week following claims she was having an affair with Mike Vrabel.
Suggestive photos were published last week showing New England Patriots coach Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at a $2,500-per-night getaway in Sedona, Arizona.
Vrabel, the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, and Russini, a top reporter for The Athletic before she resigned this week, are both married to other people and share two sons with their respective spouses.
In response to Russini posting her resignation letter on social media this week, Crissy Froyd – who covers the NFL and college football for USA Today SMG – hit back with a brutal response.
She commented on Russini’s post on X: ‘I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.
‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years.
NFL reporter Crissy Froyd posted a withering response to Dianna Russini’s Athletic resignation
Mike Vrabel (L) and NFL insider Russini (R) denied suggestions that they’re having an affair
The two visited a hotel, Ambiente, which is an adults-only venue near Sedona, Arizona
‘It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way.’
Froyd then doubled down on her sentiments in a statement provided to the Daily Caller, in which she made a series of allegations.
She said: ‘From fights with other reporters in Chili’s parking lots about hooking up with married NFL coaches to everything else, it is almost certainly all true. It was the worst kept secret in the NFL reporting world for a while.
‘Someone once propositioned me to have Dianna potentially be my mentor. I declined because I knew what she was about and her track record.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Russini for comment on Froyd’s allegations.
Russini has not responded to public comments, and said this week that ‘everything’ she has to say about the matter is referenced in her resignation letter.
Froyd, who graduated from LSU in 2021, has been accused of hypocrisy in recent days because she had a relationship with former college quarterback J.T. Daniels.
On that subject, she explained: ‘Alright, so, you probably have seen a lot of people coming after me. I’ll be transparent and I would love to use this as the greatest example.
‘I had a strong relationship with former QB JT Daniels that, as anyone would imagine under those circumstances, did include multiple sexual encounters and there was a lot involved.
‘However, JT and I didn’t begin that relationship until after he was out of football. I can honestly say I have never slept with a player or coach for professional gain. Dianna cannot say the same. That’s where the difference is.’
Froyd, who covers the NFL and college football, said: ‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out’
Both Russini and Vrabel issued statements confirming the March 28 interaction but have denied any improper conduct, with Vrabel specifically calling the story ‘laughable.’
Russini told Page Six she and Vrabel were at the resort with larger groups of people.
But on Tuesday, Russini resigned from The Athletic, while standing behind all of her work from her 15-year career at the publication, ESPN, and other outlets.
A defiant Russini insisted that her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel.
‘I do so [resign] 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,’ she said.
‘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.’
Days after the photos emerged, The Athletic announced it was reinvestigating Russini and that she would be sidelined during that process.
A defiant Russini has insisted her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel
Executive editor Steven Ginsberg’s message to Athletic reporters on Tuesday said: ‘While I can’t share the details of our investigation into Dianna’s conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership of The Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment we learned about it.
‘When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.
‘As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.
‘While our investigation into Dianna’s conduct was ongoing, she chose to resign. We will continue a standards review of Dianna’s work.’
