NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently revealed he’s had a tough time watching the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal play out in the public.
The NFL Network reporter joined the “Between the Tackles” podcast last week to give his thoughts on hot-button football issues, and when the Russini-Vrabel topic came up, he made it clear the controversy hasn’t been a fun one for him to watch from the sidelines given he knows both parties well.
“I’ve never really seen it with people that I know,” Rapoport said. “And it’s really different and, like, not good and sad and just, like, all around.”
Vrabel and Russini’s personal lives were jolted into the limelight on April 7, when Page Six published pictures of the two holding hands at an Arizona resort.
Days later, other images surfaced that showed Vrabel and Russini — who are both married to other people — kissing at a Manhattan pub in 2020.
Russini ended up resigning from her role as a journalist at The Athletic over the backlash that the images garnered. The media company launched an investigation into Russini’s actions.
Vrabel is seeking counseling in the wake of the drama, which forced him to miss the final day of the draft last month.
Rapoport, who’s worked with the two closely over the years, called the whole situation “much sadder than I ever anticipated.”
“I would not wish anybody on any level to go through anything like everyone involved in this is going through,” he added.
Russini has not made a public statement since announcing her resignation.
Vrabel, meanwhile, has remained the head coach of New England after stating he had promised his family, the organization and his team that he was committed to giving them “the best version of me that I can possibly give them.”
