The Mike Vrabel Rumours Aren’t Going Away

At this time, no evidence has publicly confirmed a relationship between Vrabel and Russini, and both have denied wrongdoing. All allegations are unproven and denied by both parties. This is commentary based on public reports.

Like most football fans I'm sure you've heard the name Dianna Russini by now. If you're not familiar with the name. I'll give you a quick rundown. It's Mike Vrabel's alleged mistress. Yeah that's it, that's the rundown. I said quick didn't I. Now I say alleged mistress because Vrabel and Russini, both of whom are married to other people have so far denied the allegations. For the most part Vrabel has kept a low profile during his time playing and coaching in the NFL. In 2011, Vrabel then linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, was arrested for stealing alcohol from an Indiana casino. An arrest I might add that carried a potential sentence of six months to three years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Vrabel's punishment? A case dismissal along with a $600 bond, ouch! A sentence so laughable it would make the Canadian Justice system blush. Perhaps the race card does work after all but I digress. Anyway let's take a look at the evidence.

The Case Against Vrabel

The New York Post release photographs of Vrabel and Russini at a resort in Arizona. The pictures were supposedly taken March 28 of this year and released 10 days later. One of the 3 pictures depict Vrabel and Russini poolside both scantily clad. This to me is the most damaging photo. Vrabel and Russini looked extremely relaxed here, too relaxed. The photos fueled speculation online that they had the look of two people that just might have had adulterous sex, or at the very least were contemplating it. The other scandalous photo that appears in the Post depicts Vrabel holding hands with Russini. Social media quickly interpreted the photos as evidence of a relationship. Usually there's a much deeper connection there when you're holding hands which is the alleged case here. Now granted a one night stand isn't good either, but it could at least have given Vrabel an easier out for him and/or his PR team if the affair did happen which is unknown as of now. I had a momentary lapse of judgement etc. that kind of thing. You can sell that. New York City bar photos. Unfortunately for Vrabel, just as it looked as if the controversy was perhaps dying down. Yet another batch of photos hit the internet. These ones from 6 years earlier, this time inside a New York City bar. Once again Courtesy of the New York Post. My advice to Vrabel, avoid the New York Post for the foreseeable future. These pictures in my opinion might be more damming than the ones released earlier. Critics viewed the images as overly intimate, looking as if he was leaning in to kiss her. The alleged holding of the hands in the rather intimate setting. It looks like a typical husband wife interaction you might in see in a setting like this. Or in the case of Vrabel someone else's wife. The press conferences. The first one he gave on April 21st was rather evasive. The second one he gave two days later sounded like someone guilty of some wrong doing but he did not admit to anything so he remains innocent as of now. He had to address the media speculations head on, I get that, but he should have stopped at that first press conference in my opinion. Emergency meeting with wife. Usually you hold an emergency meeting if you're about to be attacked by a foreign power, not with your wife. Unless of course you were engaged in some possible extra curricular activity and you're desperately trying to put out the fire.

The Case For Vrabel

What case? Again, no one has confessed to any affair so we should remember these are all rumours at this point.

Potential Fallout

The question many have on their minds is what potential ramifications, if any, will Mike Vrabel face if these rumours become true facts. If you think the NFL is going to do anything forget about it. The league has already publicly stated that there's no ongoing investigation involving Mike Vrabel. Can't fault the NFL here, adultery is rather tame when compared to the usual boatload of felonies and misdemeanors they've grown accustomed to. Simply put, the NFL has bigger fish to fry. What about discipline from the team you ask. It's possible until you realize the owner of the team was charged with soliciting prostitution in a Florida massage parlor back in 2019. Those charges would be dropped in 2020 after the police illegally installed hidden cameras for the evidence. A contract extension is more likely than any form of team discipline. The elephant in the room here though is Vrabel's wife Jennifer. Without a prenup (very likely) she has Vrabel by his crown jewels. Vrabel better hope this emergency meeting went well, or his bank account is about to possibly suffer. Whether the rumours are true or not, the damage may already be done. In today’s social media landscape perception often becomes reality long before facts ever emerge.

Update:

As each day goes by things keep getting worse and worse for these two. Should Mike Vrabel step away as coach of the Patriots until all the facts are addressed in this situation? What do you think?