Mike Vrabel and Deanna Russini were “smitten with each other” at a secluded bar in New York City six years before they were spotted holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort.
The New England Patriots coach and an NFL reporter were spotted together inside the dimly lit Tribeca Tavern in the early morning hours of March 11, 2020, as seen in exclusive new photos obtained by Page Six.
The two sat close together while conversing at the bar, and at one point appeared to kiss.
“They were kissing and crazy about each other,” an eyewitness told Page Six. “He was wearing a ring.”
Vrabel was already married to his wife, Jen, when the photo was taken, while Russini told her current husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, that she was married just six months later. Each has two children with their respective partners.
The sportscaster and NFL coach were “very close to each other” the entire evening, according to a source who saw Russini’s leg “between[Vrabel’s]legs.”
Witnesses told Page Six that Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, were at the “Hole in the Wall” bar around midnight and remained undetected on radar for at least an hour.
“They were having a great time. They were constantly hanging out, on and off,” the source added. “There was no one there. No one knew who they were. I don’t think even the bartender knew.”
At the time, Vrabel was working as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans and Russini was an NFL reporter for ESPN.
Hours before heading out to the bar with Vrabel, the reporter posted a photo of himself and host Laura Rutledge at ESPN’s New York studio, joking in the caption, “Blonde. Brunette. And a redhead walks into the bar…”
Page Six contacted both Vrabel and Russini regarding the photo Wednesday afternoon. Neither player commented on this article, but Vrabel told ESPN hours later that he would miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to undergo counseling.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization, and this team that I would give the best version of myself that I can. To that end, I have committed to getting counseling starting this weekend. This is something I have thought about a lot and if I were going to do counseling, that’s what I would advise my players to do.”
“I’ve always wanted to lead by example and believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach possible.” Vrabel continued. “It’s not easy to admit this, but I know it will make me a better person. I appreciate the support you all have given me and I promise you that I will be stronger as a result.”
This bar outing took place six years before Page Six obtained a photo of Russini and Vrabel holding hands and embracing at Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, a boutique resort with stunning views of the Bullins Mesa Mountains.
We previously reported that on the morning of March 28, the two enjoyed breakfast on the hotel restaurant patio, then played in the pool for about an hour before relaxing side by side in the hot tub.
They have also been spotted on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows. This area is only accessible from two-person bungalows that cost up to $2,160 a night.
They held hands, faced each other, and briefly danced together at one point, as seen in a photo published by Page Six on April 7.
Despite multiple witnesses saying they saw Vrabel and Russini together and no one else around, they insisted to Page Six that they were not in the photos and that they were joined by friends on the trip.
A source close to Russini claimed he was at the hotel with two female friends for a hiking trip, but a friend of Vrabel’s said the coach and companions were driving to Sedona for the day. After spending time with Russini and others, they reportedly drove two hours back to their hotel.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel said in a statement to Page Six at the time. “I don’t deserve any further response.”
In his statement, Russini added, “The photo does not represent the group of six people who were together during the day. Like most journalists, in the NFL, reporters interact with sources far away from stadiums and other venues.”
Russini was working as a top sports reporter for The Athletic when the first photo was released earlier this month. She resigned from her position while the company launched an investigation into the situation.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand by every article I have ever published,” she said in her resignation letter, released April 14 and obtained by Page Six.
“When the Page Six article first appeared, The Athletic clearly supported me and expressed confidence in my work and pride in journalism, for which I am grateful.”
Russini added that in the days that followed, various media commentators made self-serving speculations that were “simply left out” from the facts.
“Furthermore, this media frenzy is proceeding at breakneck speed in disregard of the review process The Athletic is attempting to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and is unwilling to respond to a public investigation that has already caused far more damage than I am prepared to accept,” Russini’s statement continued.
“Rather than continue this, I have decided to step aside before my current contract expires on June 30th. I do so not because I accept the narrative built around this episode, but because I refuse to give it any more oxygen or let it define me or my career.”
The Athletic’s investigation is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Vrabel publicly broke his silence about the scandal earlier this week at a press conference ahead of the NFL Draft at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
“First of all, I would like to thank myself and of course everyone involved for the patience you have shown in this personal matter. I know it has not been easy for you and I respect that and appreciate your efforts,” the Patriots coach began.
“I understand we could have talked earlier, but it was important for me to have the conversation with the players. We had a candid conversation yesterday as the offseason program begins. I look forward to everyone participating.”
Vrabel said he had “difficult conversations” with people he cares about, including “family, organization, coaches (and) players,” in light of the photo drama, but they were “positive” and productive.
“We believe that to be successful on and off the field, you have to make the right decisions, and that includes me. It starts with me,” he said. “We never want our actions to have a negative impact on the team. We never want to be a distraction. There are comments and questions that I have answered for and with the team. (We) will keep them private and keep them to ourselves.”
