ESPN host draws a hard line on Vrabel-Russini scandal: ‘You’re a flaming hypocrite’

In a media cycle hungry for contrition, one voice is making it clear: Don’t expect an apology tour for Mike Vrabel.

On his Sirius XM show Friday, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith pushed back hard on the outrage surrounding the fallout from photos linking New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel to reporter Dianna Russini, arguing Vrabel’s personal life is exactly that — personal.

“Mike Vrabel doesn’t owe any of us a damn apology,” Smith said, via YouTube. “He doesn’t owe it to us. He doesn’t owe it to his team. He doesn’t owe it to the players. The only thing, the only people he owes it to is his wife and his family.”

Vrabel found himself at the center of a tabloid storm after photos emerged via the New York Post of him and Russini poolside — and later, kissing — stoking rumors of a romantic relationship.

Vrabel responded with a public statement taking accountability for causing “a distraction to the people I care most about,” naming his family, his football team, the organization, and the fans.

“It is none of our business,” Smith said. “And anybody out there that thinks that this man owes us an explanation for getting his freak on, you’re a flaming hypocrite. Kick rocks the hell up.”

Smith backed up his claim by pointing out that the divorce rate in the United States of America hovers around 50%.

He also made a sharp distinction about Vrabel’s professional record. Whatever happened in his personal life, the man just coached the Patriots to the Super Bowl. His job performance is not in question.

Smith didn’t exempt himself from the conversation. He acknowledged that he never got married precisely because he knew the life he led wasn’t compatible with the vows he’d have to make.

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