Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were “all over each other” at a secluded bar in New York City — six years before they were caught holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort.
As seen in exclusive new pics obtained by Page Six, the New England Patriots coach and the NFL reporter were spotted together inside the dimly lit Tribeca Tavern in the early hours of March 11, 2020.
They sat close to each other while conversing at the bar, at one point appearing to share a kiss.
“They were kissing and they were all over each other,” an eyewitness told Page Six. “He had a ring on.”
At the time the photos were snapped, Vrabel was already married to wife Jen, while Russini said “I do” to her now-husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, just six months later. Each shares two kids with their respective partners.
The sportscaster and the NFL coach — whose wedding ring was visible in the photos — were “very close to each other” throughout the evening, according to our insider, who witnessed Russini’s legs “in between [Vrabel’s] legs.”
The eyewitness told Page Six that Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, were at the “hole in the wall” bar around 12 a.m. and stayed for at least an hour, flying under the radar.
“They were having a glorious time. They were [giving each other] pecks, a bunch of pecks constantly,” the source added. “There was nobody in there. Nobody knew who they were. I don’t even think the bartenders did.”
At the time the photos were snapped, Vrabel was working as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, while Russini was an NFL reporter at ESPN, extensively covering the team.
The reporter posted a photo of herself on the ESPN set with host Laura Rutledge just hours before her bar outing with Vrabel, joking in the caption, “A blonde. A brunette. And a red head walk into a bar…..”
Page Six contacted both Vrabel and Russini on Wednesday afternoon regarding the photos. While neither commented for this story, Vrabel told ESPN just hours later that he will miss day three of the NFL draft to enter counseling.
He said, “As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.
“I have always wanted to lead by example and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father, and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
The bombshell new pics come six years before Page Six obtained photos of Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona — a boutique resort with stunning views of the Brins Mesa mountain range.
We previously reported that the two enjoyed breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant on the morning of March 28, later hanging out at the pool for about an hour before lounging side by side in the hot tub.
They were also spotted on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows — an area that’s only accessible from the two-person bungalows, which cost up to $2,160 a night.
As seen in the photos, which Page Six released on April 7, they held hands and faced each other, even briefly dancing together at one point.
Despite multiple eyewitnesses telling us they only spotted Russini and Vrabel together, the two insisted to Page Six that they were joined by friends on the trip, who were simply not pictured.
A source close to Russini claimed she was at the hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends at the time, while Vrabel’s friend told us that the coach and pals drove to Sedona for just the day. They allegedly took the two-hour drive back to their own hotel after spending time with Russini and her group.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel said in a statement to Page Six at the time. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Russini added in her own statement, “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 had been working as a top sports reporter for the Athletic when the first set of photos was released earlier this month. While the company initially supported her, she resigned from her position amid its investigation into the photos.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she wrote in her resignation letter, which was released on April 14 and obtained by Page Six.
“When the Page Six item first appeared, the Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.”
Russini added, however, that “in the days that followed,” “commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation” that was “simply unmoored” from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process the Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” she continued.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. 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.”
The Athletic’s investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, Vrabel publicly broke his silence on the scandal earlier this week during a pre-NFL draft press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
“Let me first begin by saying thank you for your patience that you’ve shown in a personal and private matter — for me and obviously everyone involved. I know that’s not easy for you, and I respect that, and I appreciate your efforts in doing so,” the Patriots coach began.
“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 as we began our off-season program, which everyone is excited to be a part of.”
Vrabel continued, revealing that he had “some difficult conversations with people” whom he cares about — including his “family, the organization, the coaches [and] the players” — that were “positive” and productive in light of the photo drama.
“We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me,” he stated. “We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. We never want to be the cause of a distraction. There’s comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team and with the team, will keep those private and to ourselves.”
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