Mike Vrabel dodged multiple questions off-camera pertaining to the Dianna Russini photo scandal following his lengthy statement on the matter.
After his Tuesday speech during the pre-NFL draft press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, one reporter asked the New England Patriots head coach if he has “any thoughts” about Russini’s resignation from her position at the Athletic in the wake of the scandal.
“I respect and I appreciate every single question, but I’m not going to be able to comment on anything as it relates to that. I appreciate your job and what you guys have got to do, but I have to make my comments and what I answer about our football team,” Vrabel responded, per 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Another reporter asked the former linebacker if he still stands by his initial statement to Page Six, in which he called any implication from the photos “laughable.”
“I think I’ve addressed what I felt like was important,” Vrabel said, according to the outlet.
When asked by a third reporter how he’d characterize his conversations with ownership about the scandal, Vrabel said “those will be in [confidence],” and once again tried to shift all inquiries to focus on his team.
Also during the questioning, Vrabel revealed that he had “had conversations and questions” from his players about the scandal and spoke about not letting it become a distraction as they gear up for the draft.
Tuesday’s press conference was the first time Vrabel spoke to reporters since Page Six obtained photos him and the NFL reporter holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort on April 7.
In his address, the 50-year-old admitted to having “difficult conversations” with his family about the situation and called the talks “positive and productive” without elaborating further.
From there, he shifted focus to the draft, noting that he doesn’t want to “take [attention] away” from it.
“This is an important time for us. … [The players are] starting an amazing journey, one that should be celebrated as we welcome them onto our team.”
As for Russini, 43, she also tried to downplay the snaps at first, telling Page Six, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
But three eyewitnesses told Page Six they did not see anyone else with the duo, who are both married and share children with other people.
Three days later, news broke that the Athletic had sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into the matter.
On April 14, she resigned from her job, with many people — including Dave Portnoy — claiming that she wouldn’t have done so unless she was “guilty” of something.
