Former NFL reporter Dianna Russini detailed an incident in January where she allegedly used an NFL coach to help her avoid a ticket for texting and driving. The account, shared on the "Stugotz and Company" podcast, surfaced following a New York Times article that questioned potential conflicts of interest in Russini's reporting due to her relationships with NFL figures, including New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
According to Russini's recollection, she was pulled over for texting while driving with her children in the car. She stated that the officer was not swayed by her initial claim of breaking news about the then-fired Buffalo Bills coach. Instead, she identified the officer's favorite NFL team and offered to connect him with that team's coach. Russini then FaceTimed a coach, who she said played along and urged the officer to let her go, describing her as a "good citizen."
Russini referred to the maneuver as a "nasty play" but one that ultimately worked, allowing her to avoid a ticket. She expressed desperation in the moment, citing concerns about her husband's reaction to a ticket and acknowledging she should not have been texting and driving.
The New York Times reported that Russini's annual salary at The Athletic approached $800,000. The same report indicated that the coach involved in the FaceTime call was not Mike Vrabel. A spokesperson for The Times Company, which owns The Athletic, called Russini's podcast story "unacceptable conduct" and stated that editors were unaware of the podcast appearance, which reportedly violated company guidelines.
Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, following earlier reports by Page Six that published photos of her and Mike Vrabel together in Arizona and Manhattan. The Athletic is reportedly reviewing Russini's involvement in a January 2025 article about Vrabel's "Year Off."
Russini has not made public statements since her resignation. Vrabel has spoken about the situation, stating he wants to be a better man and has had "difficult" and "productive" conversations with loved ones. The Patriots organization has expressed support for Vrabel, who sought "counseling" during the NFL Draft period.