New York (AFP) – New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday he is taking an indefinite break to seek counseling following controversy over his links to a female journalist. Vrabel, who is married, has denied any impropriety after the publication of photos showing him embracing and holding hands with The Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini while poolside at an adults-only resort in Arizona last month. Russini, who is also married, has denied wrongdoing. She subsequently resigned from her job as The Athletic launched an investigation into the incident.
Addressing the controversy earlier this week, Vrabel said he had had “difficult conversations” with his family, the Patriots, coaches, and players over the scandal, calling the talks “positive and productive.” In a statement to ESPN late Wednesday, however, Vrabel said he had decided he now planned to step away from his job to begin counseling starting this weekend. The decision means Vrabel will not be part of the Patriots team managing the third round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
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“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,” Vrabel was quoted as saying in the statement. “In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. 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.”
Vrabel’s statement came as the New York Post on Thursday published new photos of the coach and Russini appearing to kiss while at a bar in New York in 2020. Speaking to journalists at a press conference shortly before Thursday’s NFL Draft, Vrabel did not give a timeline on his likely absence from the team, repeating that he was working to give his family and the Patriots “the best version of me.” “That’s what we’re going to do, and that has started, that’ll continue this weekend, and it’ll continue for however long it takes for me to give them and to complete that,” Vrabel said.
The Patriots, meanwhile, issued a statement of support for Vrabel on Thursday. “The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being,” the team said. “Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.”
Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player for the Patriots alongside Tom Brady, has helped transform the franchise since being hired as head coach in early 2025. In Vrabel’s first season in charge, the Patriots finished 14-3 and reached the Super Bowl, where they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in February.
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