Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel and NFL Reporter Dianna Russini, Both Married, Respond After Photos Surface of Them Holding Hands at Arizona Resort**
The seven photos, obtained and published by Page Six on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, were reportedly taken on Saturday, March 28. They depict Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, at the adults-only boutique resort **Ambiente Sedona**, a high-end property known for its stunning views of the red rock formations and Brins Mesa mountain range. The images show the two having breakfast on a patio, lounging poolside in swimsuits, relaxing side-by-side in a hot tub, holding hands, hugging, and even dancing with interlocked fingers on the private rooftop of a bungalow.
Vrabel, who is in his second stint with the Patriots, firmly dismissed any romantic implications.
"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," he told the New York Post on Tuesday. "This doesn’t deserve any further response."
Russini, a former ESPN NFL analyst and "SportsCenter" anchor who is now one of the league's most prominent reporters, provided additional context.
"The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day," she said. "Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues."
The Athletic backed its reporter in a statement from executive editor Steven Ginsberg:
"These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic."
PEOPLE magazine reached out to representatives for both Vrabel and Russini but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Background on Mike Vrabel
Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion as a player with the New England Patriots, returned to the organization as head coach and led the team to Super Bowl LX in February 2026. The Patriots fell short in that game, losing 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks.
He has been married to **Jen Vrabel** (née Jen Smith) since 1999. The couple met while both were student-athletes at Ohio State University—Mike as a standout linebacker and Jen as a volleyball player. They began dating in college, and Jen was still completing her studies when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Mike in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft. She earned a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene the following year.
The pair have been together for more than 25 years and share two sons: **Tyler Vrabel**, 25, and **Carter Vrabel**, 24. Both sons have pursued athletics—Tyler played offensive tackle at Boston College and had a brief stint on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, while Carter played college baseball at multiple schools, including Tennessee Tech. Background on Dianna Russini
Russini is married to **Kevin Goldschmidt**, a Shake Shack executive (currently serving as Director of Total Rewards). The couple began dating around 2015, got engaged in 2020, and married in an intimate ceremony during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are the parents of two young sons: **Michael Andrew** (born August 8, 2021) and **Joseph "Joey" Kevin** (born October 2023). Russini frequently shares family moments on social media.
As a respected NFL insider, Russini is known for her in-depth reporting and access across the league. Her professional interactions with coaches and team personnel are common in the tight-knit world of NFL journalism.
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