Dianna Russini’s family has addressed the ongoing speculation about her family.
Over the last several years, the now-former NFL insider has been spotted on several occasions with Mike Vrabel. The first photos leaked earlier this spring, showing Vrabel and Russini at an adults-only resort in Arizona. More photos and videos have leaked of their meetups in 2020, ’21 and ’24, among other years.
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TMZ Sports published a new video on Thursday. Russini, then pregnant with her firstborn son, rented a boat in Tennessee with the NFL head coach. The NFL insider was visibly pregnant in the video.
Russini gave birth to her first child, Michael, with her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, later that year. But there’s been online speculation about the child.
Dianna Russini’s family responds. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Naturally, given that Russini’s firstborn son is named Michael, NFL fans made the connection to the Patriots head coach – Mike, or Michael, Vrabel.
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But a new report from TMZ Sports, citing sources close to the Russini family, have shot down the speculation.
Russini’s family shoots down speculation
Russini’s family claims that she named her firstborn son after her brother, who is also named Michael. She also named her second son after a family member.
The name was picked “early” in her pregnancy.
“We’re told the ex-Athletic insider picked the name early in her pregnancy to honor her older brother, Michael Russini. The kid’s middle name also pays tribute to another family member,” TMZ Sports reported.
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“Our source noted Russini named both of her kids after family members — her second son shares the same as her grandfather.”
Russini has not spoken publicly about any of this. She ultimately resigned from her position at The Athletic last month.
“Over a career spanning more than fifteen years in sports journalism — at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic — I have built a body of work I am proud of. I have broken stories, earned the trust of sources across the league, and been guided by the highest standards of professional conduct. That record speaks for itself,” she said in her resignation letter.
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“I remain grateful to The Athletic and for the extraordinary colleagues with whom I have worked there, for the platform it provided, and for the support you showed me during this difficult time. I wish you nothing but continued success.”
Vrabel, meanwhile, has returned to work in New England.
This story was originally published by The Spun on May 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.