Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were allegedly hesitant about having photos taken when they reportedly rented a private boat together in Tennessee five years ago.
The New England Patriots head coach and former Athletic reporter — who were spotted hugging and holding hands at an Arizona resort in March — rented a boat for two to three hours in Putnam County in June 2021, a source with direct knowledge of the excursion told TMZ on Wednesday.
The outlet also obtained documents showing that Vrabel and Russini, who were reportedly the only people on the boat, had both signed a waiver before climbing aboard the vessel.
Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini (whose signatures are reportedly pictured here) were said to be hesitant about having photos taken when they reportedly rented a private boat together five years ago. TMZSports.com
The pair rented a boat for a few hours in Tennessee in June 2021, a source with direct knowledge told TMZ. TMZSports.com
Vrabel and Russini were “cautious about photos being taken,” per TMZ, and Russini reportedly refused to take photos with staff.
As for the NFL coach, he allowed a single photo to be taken with the caveat that it wouldn’t be posted or shared publicly.
At the time of the private boat trip, Russini was around seven months pregnant with her and her husband Kevin Goldschmidt’s first child.
TMZ obtained docs showing that Vrabel and Russini both signed a waiver before their private boat trip. TMZSports.com
Vrabel (as seen here) reportedly allowed a single photo to be taken during the excursion. TMZSports.com
The pair, who married in September 2020, went on to welcome their first son in August 2021. They named him Michael.
Reps for Vrabel and Russini did not immediately return Page Six’s requests for comment.
TMZ’s report that the pro football coach and former ESPN reporter rented a private boat together in June 2021 came weeks after Page Six obtained exclusive photos of the pair embracing, holding hands and lounging by the pool at an exclusive resort in Sedona.
Vrabel and Russini, who both denied any wrongdoing after the pics went viral, claimed that they were at the resort with a group of friends.
Page Six obtained exclusive photos (pictured here) of Vrabel and Russini together at an exclusive resort in Sedona, Arizona, in March. © Page Six
The pair were seen embracing, holding hands and lounging by the pool in the bombshell photos. © Page SIx
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” the married dad-of-two told Page Six.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini also told us at the time. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
It was later revealed that the Athletic sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into her conduct. She ultimately resigned from the outlet on April 14.
Vrabel and Russini (pictured here lounging in the pool together) denied any wrongdoing after the photos went viral. © Page SIx
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel told Page Six last month. © Page SIx
Vrabel, meanwhile, didn’t address the bombshell photo scandal until a few days before the NFL Draft last month.
“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about — my family, the organization, the coaches, the players,” he told a roomful of reporters. “Those have been positive and productive.”
Vrabel then announced that he would temporarily step away to “seek counseling” so he could return to the Patriots with a “stronger resolve.”
Russini (pictured here with Vrabel in January 2020) resigned by the Athletic on April 14 amid the photo drama. Dianna Russini/Instagram
Page Six obtained photos (pictured here) of the NFL coach and Russini getting close inside a New York City bar in March 2020. © Page Six
But the scandal took another turn when Page Six obtained new photos last month of Vrabel and Russini getting close and kissing inside a New York City bar in March 2020.
“They were kissing and they were all over each other,” an eyewitness told us before noting that the NFL coach – who married his wife, Jen, in 1999 – “had a ring on.”
Vrabel and his wife then headed to Park City, Utah, for an emergency 24-hour marriage summit following the release of the bombshell bar photos.