The former NFL reporter at the center of a cheating scandal has hit the nuclear button on her social media after a wave of online sleuthing spiraled out of control.
Dianna Russini, 43, deactivated her X account as resurfaced posts about Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, 50, collided with newly published photos showing the pair kissing in 2020, first reported by Page Six on Thursday.
Following the new photo drop, users began resurfacing old tweets and spinning increasingly wild theories, including speculation tied to a post about Vrabel’s newborn son named Michael.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy piled on, posting: “I can’t believe that I think there is a chance Russini fathered Vrabel’s child...You just can’t name your kid the same name as the guy you are having an affair with.”
The latest snaps come after the outlet leaked photos of the pair cozied up on vacation, which quickly ignited cheating rumors. Both Russini and Vrabel, who are each married with children, have denied allegations of an affair.
The fallout was swift: Russini stepped down from her position as senior NFL insider at The Athletic, while Vrabel said he would seek counseling.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini said in the letter announcing her resignation.
She went on to lament the “media frenzy” that had ensued, saying: “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.”
