Hours after Page Six published a photo of Mike Vrabel and sportswriter Deanna Russini kissing at a New York City bar six years ago, the Patriots head coach addressed the media but remained mum about the scandal.
“I take responsibility for my actions and my actions that distracted the people I care about most: my family, this football team, this organization, and our fans,” a somber Vrabel said during Thursday’s pre-NFL Draft press conference.
“My actions thus far have not and are not up to the standards I hold for myself. I believe it is best for the two things that are most important in my life, my family and my football team, for us to work together and take the necessary steps to accomplish what I told them I would give them, which is the best version of me.”
The coach, who was photographed with Russini at an Arizona hotel in March, added: “My family needs me this weekend. I’m going to be there.”
Vrabel reiterated that the Patriots and their families, including his wife Jen Vrabel and their two sons, are his priority.
He concluded that he was “focused on this team moving forward” and would not comment further out of respect for his family.
Just before the press conference, he thanked fans for their support.
“Thank you all for coming. Thank you so much for the support you’ve shown for our soccer team, our organization, and for me personally,” he said to the cheering crowd.
Vrabel, who was married to his wife Jen at the time of the March 2020 photo shoot, first shared a photo of the two holding hands and hugging in Sedona last month, and announced he was taking a break earlier this week.
“I promised my family, this organization and this team that I would give the best version of myself that I could,” Mike, 50, told ESPN.
“To do that, I have decided to start counseling this weekend,” he continued. “This is something I’ve thought about a lot and if I were counseling a player, that’s what I would advise them to do.”
Mike said he will be in contact with the Patriots’ staff, but will not be attending Day 3 of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.
Instead, he was scheduled to be outside Massachusetts with his college sweetheart, whom he married in 1999, and their sons.
In response to the news, the Patriots released the following statement to Page Six:
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to put his family and personal well-being first. Mike has been open about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, team and fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to fulfill that commitment.”
“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with the personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. Although he will not be in the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluation is complete and (football executive) Elliott Wolfe and his personnel staff are ready to execute the draft as scheduled this weekend.”
The Patriots hold 11 picks, including the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Earlier this week, Mike appeared at a pre-draft press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where he finally broke his silence about the recent headlines.
He spoke of the “difficult conversations” he had with the family, calling them “positive and productive.”
The retired outside linebacker vowed to not only his co-workers and players, but also his loved ones, that he would continue to “move forward” as the “best version” of himself.
“To be successful on and off the field, you have to make the right decisions, and that includes me. It starts with me.”
After his speech, Mike dodged questions about the scandal, telling reporters, “I appreciate your work and what you have to do, but I have to comment and answer about the football team.”
When the photo of Mike and Russini, 43, was first published on April 7, the latter claimed, “The photo does not represent a group of six people hanging out together during the day. Like most NFL journalists, the reporter interacts with sources away from the stadium and other venues.”
She subsequently resigned from the New York Times’ The Athletic, writing in her resignation letter, “Not because I accept the narrative built around this episode, but because I refuse to give it further oxygen or allow it to define me or my career.”
Vrabel argued that “these photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”
The two claimed they were with friends, but multiple witnesses said that was not the case.
Page Six published additional photos Wednesday of Vrabel and Russini having breakfast at a luxury hotel in Arizona.
As for the 2020 photo released Thursday, Vrabel appeared to be kissing Russini, as well as sitting near a reporter at the Tribeca Tavern bar, with his hand on her leg and arm.
At the time, Russini was six months shy of walking down the aisle with her then-fiancé, Kevin Goldschmidt, with whom she now has two sons.
“They were kissing and crazy about each other,” a source told Us. “They were pecking (each other). Lots of pecking constantly.”
Representatives for Vrabel and Russini have yet to comment on the latest headline-grabbing snap.
