NBC Revives April Vrabel-Russini Scandal Before Patriots' Week 1 Opener
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 10
NBC Revives April Vrabel-Russini Scandal Before Patriots' Week 1 Opener
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 10
Summary
NBC's pregame show brought Mike Vrabel's offseason scandal back into focus before New England's opener against Seattle, reminding viewers he missed the final day of the April draft to seek counseling after photos with Dianna Russini surfaced.
That renewed attention lands after The Athletic's standards review found Russini's relationship with Vrabel was "in clear violation" of company rules, while Vrabel has largely refused to address the matter since training camp.
Devin McCourty said the Patriots have "fully moved past" the issue internally and that players are focused only on the season, but the broadcast showed the story still shadows Vrabel publicly.
Russini has resigned from The Athletic and reportedly plans to address the episode when she returns to public life, leaving open the risk of another public-relations flare-up for New England.