New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will seek counseling starting this weekend and will not be with the team for the third and final day of the NFL draft, the team announced Thursday.
Vrabel said the decision follows the publication of photographs by the New York Post showing him with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini at a luxury resort in Sedona, Ariz. Additional photos of the pair, including images of them having breakfast alone at the resort, were published by the Post on Thursday.
“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,” Vrabel said in a statement. “In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. 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.”
The initial set of photos, published April 7, appeared to show Vrabel and Russini embracing and holding hands at the adults-only Ambiente resort. Both are married to other people. Vrabel initially called the images “a completely innocent interaction” and said any suggestion otherwise was “laughable.” Russini resigned from her position at The Athletic shortly afterward.
Vrabel addressed the matter publicly for the first time Tuesday, telling reporters he had “difficult conversations” with his family, the organization, coaches and players that were “positive and productive.”
“We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions,” he said. “That includes me. That starts with me.”
Vrabel, 50, plans to spend the weekend with his wife, Jen, and their two sons outside of Massachusetts. He said he will remain in contact with the Patriots throughout Saturday’s draft proceedings but expressed full confidence in Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden to run the draft room.
The Patriots hold eight selections on Day 3, including two fourth-round picks, one fifth-rounder, four sixth-round choices and one seventh-round selection.
Flip the pages for the latest Russini-Vrabel photos.
