Dianna Russini, a prominent NFL reporter for The Athletic, has resigned from her position. The departure follows less than a week after photographs surfaced showing her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a resort in Arizona. The images, published by the New York Post's Page Six, depicted Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging, reportedly taken before NFL league meetings that began on March 29.
The Athletic, a sports outlet owned by The New York Times, had launched an internal investigation into Russini's conduct upon the publication of these photos. The outlet's editorial guidelines stipulate that journalists must avoid activities that create a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof, to maintain journalistic credibility.
Russini, who also hosted a podcast for The Athletic and is considered a leading figure in sports journalism, submitted her resignation on Tuesday. In a statement posted on social media, she indicated her departure was not an admission of wrongdoing, but a refusal to "lend further oxygen" to the narrative surrounding the episode.
Read More: Jalen Hurts and Wife Skip Interviews After Missing Teammate's Wedding
Both Russini and Vrabel, who are married to other individuals, have issued statements downplaying the implications of the photographs. Vrabel described the interaction as "completely innocent" and dismissed any suggestion otherwise as "laughable." Despite these statements, The Athletic confirmed its ongoing investigation into Russini's work would continue, even after her resignation.
The New England Patriots organization has not made any public statements regarding the photos or whether Vrabel has violated any organizational conduct standards. Vrabel, a former player with three Super Bowl wins, is reportedly preparing for his second season as head coach of the Patriots.
The Athletic initially offered support to Russini but later began scrutinizing her conduct internally. Russini's career has also included reporting stints with NBC New York and ESPN prior to her tenure at The Athletic.
Read More: Rashee Rice jailed for breaking probation after car crash
