New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has revealed he will not be at Day 3 of the NFL Draft after agreeing to seek counseling over the Dianna Russini photo scandal.
Bombshell photos emerged earlier this month showing Vrabel hugging, lounging poolside and laughing with the female sports reporter at a $2,500-per-night adults-only resort in Arizona, leading to allegations that they have been having an affair.
The NFL head coach and Russini, who are both married with children, have denied those accusations and instead claimed they were at the resort with a larger group.
Despite continuing to deny the claims on her way out, Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic last week over the scandal, while Vrabel has escaped punishment from both New England and the NFL.
However, after breaking his silence on the affair allegations on Tuesday, he admitted he will be seeking counseling to become a ‘better person’ for both his family and the Patriots, starting this weekend.
‘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 told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Mike Vrabel will not be at the NFL Draft as he seeks counseling over the Dianna Russini scandal
Suggestive photos showed Vrabel and the female sports reporter hugging at a Sedona hotel
‘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.’
Vrabel, who has two sons with wife Jen, will also spend this weekend outside of Massachusetts with his family.
The Patriots coach admitted he’s been forced to have ‘difficult conversations with people I care about’ as he addressed the scandal for the first time on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters as his team started their offseason program, an emotional Vrabel said: ‘I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about about – with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.
‘Those have been positive and productive. We believe that in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me.
‘We never want our actions to negatively affect team, we never want to cause a distraction. I care deeply about this football team and I’m excited to coach them. I’m going to attack each day with humility and focus.
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and share two children
‘What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward.’
The initial photos of Vrabel and Russini published by Page Six were reportedly captured at the getaway in Sedona, Arizona on March 28.
Earlier on Wednesday night, the outlet published new photos of the pair having breakfast together, which were allegedly taken on the same morning of March 28.
While sources close to both parties insist they were joined by a group of friends, ‘multiple eyewitnesses’ reportedly claimed they were actually ‘alone’ at the time.
The photos appear to show Vrabel sat across the table from Russini, yet only the side of his head is visible in one of the images, meaning it cannot be determined whether anyone is sitting next to him.
Russini, who is sat in clear view of the camera, does not appear to be sitting next to anyone at the table.
Russini resigned from her job at The Athletic last week amid controversy over the photos
A source also reportedly told Page Six that Russini and Vrabel seemingly tried to go incognito after their breakfast by walking to several places in the resort separately throughout the day.
‘One of them would go ahead and then the other would wait for a few seconds or so, and then they would follow a few steps ahead,’ the insider alleged before adding that it seemed as if ‘they really didn’t want to be seen walking together.’
Daily Mail has approached Dianna Russini and the New England Patriots for comment.
Hours after their alleged breakfast for two, Russini and Vrabel were pictured kicking back and relaxing poolside and embracing each other at the Sedona resort.
