Vrabel takes accountability for causing ‘distraction’ at NFL Draft
TL;DR
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has taken responsibility for causing a distraction due to recent photos with NFL reporter Dianna Russini. He plans to prioritize his family and will begin counseling while stepping away from the team during the NFL draft.
Key points
- Mike Vrabel accepted responsibility for creating a distraction.
- Photos with Dianna Russini were published, prompting his response.
- He will begin counseling and step away from the team during the draft.
- Vrabel emphasized the importance of his family and the Patriots.
Mentioned in this story
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has publicly accepted responsibility for actions that have created a "distraction" for the American football franchise, following the recent publication of photographs showing him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
While not directly addressing the specifics of the images, which depicted the pair at an Arizona resort, Vrabel announced his intention to prioritize his family by beginning counseling this weekend and stepping away from the team for the final day of the NFL draft on Saturday.
Speaking for just over seven minutes before Thursday's NFL draft commenced, Vrabel stated: "I understand that there are questions. I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about — my family, this football team, the organization and our fans. My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don't."
He had previously acknowledged having "difficult conversations with people I care about”, including his family, coaching staff, and team officials, after the New York Post published the photos.
Vrabel emphasized that his family and the Patriots are the most important aspects of his life, committing to a process of self-improvement for "however long it takes" to present "the best version of me."
When questioned about the timing of his absence from the draft, he affirmed it was "solely family-related”, adding: "When you prioritize your family first, and your job, that’s what’s required. And that’s what was necessary."
Dianna Russini resigned from her position at The Athletic over photos published showing her holding hands with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (Getty)
He remained uncertain if this would be his only planned absence from the team.
The photos of Vrabel and Russini were taken in Sedona, Arizona, prior to the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on 29 March.
Both Vrabel and Russini are married; Russini recently resigned from The Athletic.
The NFL has confirmed it is not investigating Vrabel’s conduct, with Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterating in an ESPN interview that the league views it as a "personal matter."
Goodell added: "This is not a personal conduct policy as we know of today. It’s a personal matter and we’ll leave it at that. I think the teams handle these matters when they are personal matters. They have a lot more information that can benefit people involved."
The Patriots organization has expressed its support for Vrabel’s decision. In a statement, the team said: "Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.
Roger Goodell said the NFL will not be investigating Vrabel's conduct (Reuters)
“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend."
Vrabel’s absence will particularly impact Saturday’s draft proceedings, which typically involve the bulk of a team’s selections.
The Patriots entered the draft with 11 picks, including their initial first-round selection (No. 31). They traded this pick, along with a fourth-round choice, to Buffalo to move up and select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 28.
They hold one pick each in rounds two and three on Friday. However, the majority of their remaining selections – two in the fourth round, one in the fifth, four in the sixth, and one in the seventh – are scheduled for Saturday.
Despite his planned absence, Vrabel was present at the Patriots’ facility on Thursday, addressing reporters, speaking with season ticket holders, and briefly joining the draft room to celebrate the selection of Lomu.
Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and fellow personnel vice president Ryan Cowden will oversee the draft room in Vrabel’s absence, with Wolf having the final say on picks.
Wolf expressed confidence in the team’s preparedness, stating: "Not too worried about that as far just as the process we have in place. The people that we have in place. It’s going to be different without his presence there. But we feel really good about the people that we have in place to make up for it."
Vrabel will remain in communication with the team via Zoom on Saturday.
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Q&A
What did Mike Vrabel say about the distraction caused by the photos?
Mike Vrabel acknowledged that his actions created a distraction for his family, the team, and fans, and he takes accountability for it.
Why is Mike Vrabel stepping away from the Patriots during the NFL draft?
Vrabel is stepping away to focus on his family and begin counseling after the publication of photos that caused a distraction.
What actions is Mike Vrabel taking to address the situation?
Vrabel is starting counseling and committing to a process of self-improvement to become the best version of himself.
Who is Dianna Russini in relation to Mike Vrabel?
Dianna Russini is a longtime NFL reporter who was photographed with Mike Vrabel, leading to the recent controversy.
