Dianna Russini’s former podcast partner has finally spoken out about the “unfortunate” scandal involving Mike Vrabel that has recently captivated the sports world.
The controversy erupted last month when the New York Post released photos showing Russini and Vrabel mingling at an adults-only resort in Arizona in late March.
Both Russini and Vrabel, who are married with families, initially denied any inappropriate relationship. However, Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, later expressed remorse and sought counseling.
In the wake of the scandal, Russini resigned from her position at The Athletic, whereas Vrabel continues to lead the Patriots, receiving full support from the team after committing to professional counseling.
Russini co-hosted the “Scoop City” podcast with ex-NFL quarterback Chase Daniel as part of her duties with The Athletic. The podcast went on hiatus in March and was ultimately discontinued following Russini’s resignation.
Discussing the incident on “The Jim Rome Show” this Thursday, Daniel remarked, “Look, that’s something that’s unfortunate in many different ways.”
Dianna Russini’s former podcast co-host has finally addressed the Mike Vrabel affair scandal
Russini and Vrabel’s affair scandal has exploded since they were pictured together at a hotel
‘We haven’t really chatted about it. We haven’t done any of that, so I’m going to leave that there. That’s their business.
‘It has turned into quite the assignment of everything, it’s like TMZ is covering it, the Wall Street Journal, all these things are covering it, so I’m sure she’ll land on her feet somewhere and that’s all I’ll really say about that.’
During his NFL career, Daniel served as the backup to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees when the Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010. He also played for the Chiefs, Eagles, Bears, Lions and Chargers before retiring in 2023.
Following the explosive first batch of sordid images, the Post then published more photos of Vrabel and Russini enjoying breakfast together at the aforementioned Arizona resort.
Others showed the two kissing at a New York bar, reportedly, in March of 2020.
Furthermore, the Daily Mail has also published photos of them at a Biloxi, Mississippi, casino in January of 2024.
Russini and her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, were married in September 2020. Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, since 1999.
The scandal took a fresh twist last week when video footage emerged of them arriving for a romantic boat trip that allegedly took place just months before she gave birth to her first son.
Russini and Vrabel reportedly hired a vessel for two or three hours in June 2021, when he was still coaching the Tennessee Titans and she was reporting on him for ESPN.
Russini and husband Kevin Goldschmidt were married in New Jersey in September of 2020
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and they have two children
A source with knowledge of the rental said Vrabel and Russini were the only people on board, and that claim was supported by a signed company waiver reviewed by TMZ.
Then, The Daily Mail obtained video footage of the couple walking along the dock of a private rental company near a lake in Putnam County, Tennessee. Russini could be seen strolling a few steps ahead of Vrabel.
But it’s clear that Russini is pregnant at the time of the video when she turns around to speak to Vrabel. The pair were dressed for a day on the water, wearing T-shirts and shorts.
Vrabel and Russini were said to be hesitant to have their pictures taken with fans that day. It was also alleged by TMZ that she declined to have a photo taken with fans, while he agreed on the condition that it not be posted online.
Russini went on to give birth to her first of two sons, named Mike, in August 2021. TMZ reported that Russini named him after her brother, Michael Russini, not the now-Patriots coach.
