New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has never been one to shy away from an awkward moment with reporters during press conferences.
He created many such instances during his tenure as head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Yet, it seems Vrabel, who’s married to wife Jen Vrabel, doesn’t want to face the media and engage in what’s sure to be yet another awkward moment in answering questions about his current affair scandal involving The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini, who’s married to husband Kevin Goldschmidt.
Vrabel Dodging the Media Amid Russini Scandal
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and his wife Jen with owner Robert Kraft
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported on Sunday that Vrabel won’t speak to reporters during the team’s pre-draft press conference on Monday, which is typically part of the head coach’s duties.
“[Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot] Wolf will hold the team’s pre-draft news conference Monday (2 p.m. ET), which be the first official media event at the team’s new facility — the New Balance Athletic Center,” Reiss reported.
“Vrabel — who has been in the news this week, as the Athletic is reinvestigating the coverage of NFL reporter Dianna Russini and the nature of her relationship with him, sources familiar with the matter told ESPN — isn’t expected to address reporters until the draft.”
Fans Slam Vrabel for Coward’s Behavior
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel won’t speak to the media amid his alleged affair with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini
One of Vrabel’s most notable sayings is “don’t do dumb s— to hurt the team.”
The bedrock of his coaching philosophy is built on that credo. Yet, it’s Vrabel who finds himself not taking his own advice after being recently publicly photographed cozying up to Russini at an adults-only hotel in Arizona.
Fans flooded social media on Sunday after news that Vrabel wouldn’t be speaking with reporters, raking him over the coals for not taking accountability and facing the music about his alleged affair.
“Scared to answer questions about something that didn’t happen huh? 😂,” one fan wrote.
“Preaches accountability until applies to himself. Joke of a thing for a head coach to do,” another replied.
“So she’s getting all the heat and he can disappear 🤦🏼♀️,” a third pointed out.
“It’s kind of a [expletive] move to not face the music while your affair partner is having her career ruined,” one user exclaimed.
“Mr accountability doesn’t want to talk about his mistakes,” remarked another user.
“Vrabel is going to have to face this sooner or later. Kind of cowardly for a highly paid head coach to miss draft-related activities,” one fan proclaimed.
“Lol Mr. Family Values is ducking the media now. What a little [expletive],” another fan scoffed.
Vrabel and Russini Deny Affair Rumors
GettyDianna Russini attends the 2019 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
Both parties issued statements shortly after the story broke downplaying anything nefarious going on, claiming the photos were not representative of the actual situation.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel told the NY Post. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Added Russini: “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Russini has since been benched by The Athletic and told not to report on anything while the company conducts an investigation into the situation. Vrabel has continued his coaching duties as expected.
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