04/23/26 12:34:00
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04/23 00:29 CDT Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will miss
Day 3 of the NFL draft, report says
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will miss Day 3 of the NFL
draft, report says
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is seeking counseling and will not be
with the team for Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday, following the publication
of photos of the coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona
resort.
"As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team
that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give
them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this
weekend," Vrabel said Wednesday night, according to ESPN. "This is something
that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player
to do if I was counseling them.
"I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to
do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not
an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better
person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a
stronger resolve as a result."
The photos of Vrabel and Russini at a Sedona resort were taken before the
annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New
York Post, which published the photos this month.
The NFL said last weekend that it is not investigating Vrabel's behavior.
Vrabel addressed the matter for the first time on Tuesday, telling reporters
he's had " difficult conversations with people I care about."
Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, released written statements to the
Post after the publication of the story downplaying what the photos depict. But
Russini resigned from The Athletic less than a week later, after the Post's
report prompted an internal investigation at The New York Times-owned sports
outlet.
Vrabel said he addressed players about the matter on Monday after they arrived
for the start of the voluntary workout program. Two Patriots players were
scheduled to be made available to reporters on Tuesday, but Vrabel said he
wanted to speak before they did. He also said he didn't want the interest in
the Post photos to take attention away from the NFL draft, which begins
Thursday.
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