Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters for the first time since Page Six obtained photos of the New England Patriots head coach and NFL reporter Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort.
The 50-year-old addressed the “personal and private matter” during a pre-NFL draft press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Tuesday, per a video shared by WBZ Boston.
“I understand I could have addressed you sooner, but it was important to me I have a conversation with the players, which I did yesterday very candidly,” he continued, adding that he also has had “some difficult conversations” with people he “care[s] about.”
Vrabel rattled off a list, including his “family” and the organization, before labeling the talks “positive and productive.”
“We believe in order to be successful, you have to make good decisions,” he continued. “That starts with me. You never want your actions to negatively affect the team … or be the cause of a distraction.”
Vrabel emphasized how “deeply” he cares about the Patriots and how “excited” he is to coach the athletes “with humility and focus.”
He concluded, “What I can promise you is my family, this organization, this team, the staff, the coaches and the fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward.”
Vrabel, notably, was absent from last week’s pre-draft press conference as headlines swirled about him and Russini.
However, a spokesperson for the NFL team told Fox News Digital that Vrabel was never scheduled to attend, with Patriots exec Eliot Wolf allegedly always set to lead the April 13 presser.
When Wolf was asked about Vrabel’s involvement with the team amid the Russini drama, he replied, “Business as usual.
“He’s been in there with us a little more than he was last year,” he added. “He’s been contributing. He’s watched a ton of the players.”
Wolf’s comment came nearly one week after Page Six published pictures of Vrabel and Russini, 43, at the high-end and exclusive Ambiente hotel in Sedona, Ariz.
Vrabel and Russini downplayed the situation after the snaps, taken on March 28, went viral.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” the married dad of two told Page Six on April 7. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
As for Russini, who is also married with two children, she told us, “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.”
But three eyewitnesses told Page Six they did not see anyone else with the duo.
Three days later, news broke that the Athletic had sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into the matter.
The NFL insider announced her resignation from the prominent digital sports outlet on Tuesday.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30,” she wrote in a resignation letter obtained by Page Six.
“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career,” Russini added.
The Athletic’s executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, subsequently confirmed Russini’s departure from the outlet.
“I’m writing to let you know that Dianna Russini has submitted her resignation from the Athletic, effective immediately,” he wrote in a memo obtained by Page Six.
“As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation,” Russini’s former boss added. “While our investigation into Dianna’s conduct was ongoing, she chose to resign.”
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