Photos released by the Fresh York Post and Page Six show New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and ESPN reporter Dianna Russini in close physical contact at a Tribeca bar in the early hours of March 11, 2020, while Vrabel was married and wearing his wedding band.
The images, obtained by both outlets, depict the couple sitting closely together at the dimly lit Tribeca Tavern, with an eyewitness telling Page Six they were “kissing and all over each other” and that Russini’s legs were positioned between Vrabel’s at one point. The New York Post cited a similar account, describing constant pecks throughout the evening and noting the bar was nearly empty, with staff unaware of their identities.
At the time, Vrabel was head coach of the Tennessee Titans and married to Jen Vrabel, with whom he shares two children. Russini, then an NFL reporter at ESPN, was not married but would wed Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt six months later, also with whom she has two children. Both sources confirm the photos were taken on March 11, 2020 — the same day the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, though neither outlet suggests any connection between the timing and the encounter.
The release of the images comes amid speculation about Vrabel’s abrupt decision to step away from the Patriots during the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft, a move announced just hours after the New York Post contacted him for comment. NBC Sports reported that the Patriots had initially indicated either Vrabel or vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf would speak to media on Thursday and Friday, but that Wolf would likely handle both days — a detail now seen in context of the photo release.
This is not the first time Vrabel and Russini have been seen together in a personal context. Page Six noted the bar encounter occurred six years before they were photographed holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort, suggesting an ongoing relationship that predates both of their current marriages. The outlet emphasized the visibility of Vrabel’s wedding ring in the newly released photos as a key detail corroborating the eyewitness account.
Vrabel’s absence from Patriots draft proceedings raises questions about internal team dynamics, particularly given his role as a prominent defensive mind and former player whose leadership has been cited in New England’s sustained success. While no official reason has been given for his departure, the timing — coming so soon after media inquiries about the photos — has led to widespread speculation among reporters covering the draft.
Russini continues to work as an NFL insider, though she has since transitioned from ESPN to The Athletic and later to NBC Sports, where she covers league-wide developments. Neither she nor Vrabel has publicly addressed the photos or their implications, and neither the Patriots nor the Titans have issued statements regarding the matter.
The incident echoes past moments when NFL figures’ personal conduct intersected with professional responsibilities, such as the 2012 revelation involving then-New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and publicized personal videos, which led to intense media scrutiny though no disciplinary action. Like that case, this situation hinges on the balance between private behavior and public role, especially for figures in high-visibility positions.
Why did Mike Vrabel step away from the Patriots during the draft?
The Patriots have not officially explained Vrabel’s absence, but it occurred hours after the New York Post contacted him regarding the newly released photos, leading to speculation that the timing is connected.
What do the photos show, and where were they taken?
The photos show Vrabel and Russini sitting closely together at the Tribeca Tavern in New York City, with eyewitnesses describing them as kissing and being physically intimate throughout the evening, including one account of Russini’s legs being between Vrabel’s.
Was Mike Vrabel married at the time the photos were taken?
Yes, Vrabel was married to Jen Vrabel at the time, and his wedding band is visible in the photos, according to the eyewitness cited by Page Six.
Did Dianna Russini marry shortly after the encounter?
Yes, Russini married Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt approximately six months after the photos were taken, in September 2020.