Benedictine baseball splits with Cambridge, setting up deciding Game 3
Benedictine baseball splits with Cambridge, setting up Game 3 showdown!
Drake Maye supports coach Mike Vrabel amid recent controversy, calling him 'a great human being.' Maye believes the situation won't distract the New England Patriots following their Super Bowl 60 loss.
Mentioned in this story
Drake Maye is firmly in Mike Vrabel's corner.
The New England Patriots quarterback called his head coach – who found himself in controversy and publicly saying he would take accountability for his actions – "a great human being." Maye also said he doesn't feel that the off-field controversy surrounding Vrabel and former NFL Athletic reporter Dianna Russini will be a distraction for the team coming off their Super Bowl 60 loss.
"I know he's got the right mindset, and I know he's a great human being," Maye told the Associated Press. "I think he's ... like I said, I love playing for him."
Maye spoke to the Associated Press after he participated Wednesday, May 6 in the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte in which he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland on the back nine at Quail Hollow.
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Drake Maye described Mike Vrabel as 'a great human being' and expressed his support for him amid controversy.
Maye does not believe the controversy will be a distraction for the New England Patriots.
Drake Maye participated in the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte, where he played alongside PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland.
The New England Patriots lost Super Bowl 60.
Benedictine baseball splits with Cambridge, setting up Game 3 showdown!
Sabres revive power play to defeat Canadiens 4-2 in playoffs
Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse: Time to Be Great is Here!
Atlanta Braves welcome back closer Raisel Iglesias from the injured list.
Get ready for the heavyweight clash: Wardley defends against Dubois!
Draymond Green takes a jab at Charles Barkley regarding the Warriors' future.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates with this son after defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 inSuper Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004, in Houston, Texas.
Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Line Backer Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots standing on the field looking on during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 21-11.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots catches a two yard touchdown in the third quarter against cornerback Lito Sheppard #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida.
New England Patriots line backer Mike Vrabel celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX 06 February 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The Patriots are leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
Tony Fisher #40 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against Mike Vrabel #50 the New England Patriots during the second quarter on October 13, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 28-10.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots celebrates with Stefon Diggs #8 after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on August 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minnesota.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye #10 prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York.
Former player Mike Vrabel speaks during a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on September 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
1 / 18
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
1 / 18
Mike Vrabel’s career has taken him from standout player to head coach, with stops across multiple eras of the NFL.
See the moments that chart Vrabel’s path through the years and onto the sidelines.
Above, Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
2 / 18
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates with this son after defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 inSuper Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004, in Houston, Texas.
3 / 18
Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
4 / 18
Mike Vrabel speaks as he is introduced as head coach of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
5 / 18
Line Backer Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots standing on the field looking on during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 21-11.
6 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
7 / 18
Linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the New England Patriots catches a two yard touchdown in the third quarter against cornerback Lito Sheppard #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida.
8 / 18
New England Patriots line backer Mike Vrabel celebrates his touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX 06 February 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The Patriots are leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
9 / 18
Tony Fisher #40 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against Mike Vrabel #50 the New England Patriots during the second quarter on October 13, 2002, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots 28-10.
10 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots celebrates with Stefon Diggs #8 after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
11 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on during training camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on August 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minnesota.
12 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
13 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye #10 prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York.
14 / 18
Former player Mike Vrabel speaks during a New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
15 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on November 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
16 / 18
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs on the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
17 / 18
Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee.
18 / 18
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on September 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
The New York Post published photographs of Vrabel and Russini together in April together at a private Arizona resort. Both are married to other people and have children with their spouses.
Vrabel missed the third and final day of the 2026 NFL Draft to be with his family and begin to seek counseling. The Patriots supported Vrabel's decision and have stood by the 2025 Coach of the Year throughout the process. Vrabel received a standing ovation from Patriots fans during an event for season-ticket holders last month.
Twice the week of the draft Vrabel addressed reporters. The first meeting with the media consisted of a single statement in which he said he had "difficult conversations with people I care about about."
"With my family, the organization, the coaches, the players," Vrabel said as part of the statement he made on April 21, a full two weeks after the New York Post published the photos.
"Those have been positive and productive. We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction."
The message was received by the team, according to Maye.
"I think he's done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it," Maye told the Associated Press. "I'm just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready."
On April 23, as the draft was beginning, the Post published more photos of Russini and Vrabel – these apparently from 2020. Vrabel issued another verbal statement and took four questions.
"My previous actions don't meet the standard of what I hold myself to – they don't," Vrabel said.
Maye's comments came a day after his former Patriots teammate, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, was acquitted on strangulation and assault and battery charges.
"Well, you know, he's always been a great teammate to me, and I know he'll do great things," Maye said of Diggs. "I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He's a great player."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Vrabel has support from Patriots QB Drake Maye