Crissy Froyd sparked controversy after reacting to Dianna Russini stepping down from her role at The Athletic. Her comments quickly fueled debate across the sports media world.
“I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.” Fryod tweeted. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years.”
Russini resigned following widespread attention around photos showing her with Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort. Both denied any inappropriate relationship and said the images lacked context.
I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way. https://t.co/dswaHZjIHL
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) April 14, 2026
Despite those denials, the situation drew heavy online criticism. Russini chose to leave her position before her contract expired. She said she wanted to prevent the controversy from defining her career.
Froyd responded bluntly on social media. She went on to comment,
“I want to first of all say that I am so thankful an outlet does have the audacity to do a story on Dianna Russini being called out. She deserves to have been, and all of us do know what she’s been up to.”
“From fights with other reporters in Chili’s parking lots about hooking up with married NFL coaches to everything else, it is almost certainly all true. It was the worst kept secret in the NFL reporting world for a while.
“I can honestly say I have never slept with a player or coach for professional gain,” she said. “Dianna cannot say the same.”
She celebrated the resignation and suggested Russini harmed the reputation of women in sports journalism. Her comments intensified an already divided reaction. Some media figures supported Russini and questioned the scrutiny she faced.
Several journalists warned that the discourse could reinforce harmful stereotypes about women in sports media. Others argued that professionalism should remain the central focus.
