New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini were spotted having breakfast together during their outing at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona, last month, as seen in new exclusive photos obtained by Page Six.
An insider told us that the pair — who are both married to other people — dined together on the morning of March 28, around 10:15 a.m. local time.
Multiple eyewitnesses claimed that the two dined alone, which seems to be supported by the pictures we obtained. But sources close to Russini insist that the sports reporter and the NFL coach were joined by a group of friends for the morning meal.
The insider also told us that the pair appeared to be trying to go incognito by walking to various places in the resort separately throughout the day, following their breakfast.
“One of them would go ahead and then the other would wait for a few seconds or so, and then they would follow a few steps ahead,” the source alleged, claiming that it seemed as if “they really didn’t want to be seen walking together.”
Page Six has reached out to reps for Vrabel and Russini for comment on the newly released images.
Earlier this month, Page Six originally published pictures of Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, holding hands and hugging at the boutique resort, which is set against the breathtaking Brins Mesa mountain range.
Following their breakfast on March 28, an eyewitness spotted them spending a leisurely hour or so together at the pool and lounging side-by-side in a hot tub.
Later in the evening, the two appeared to briefly dance together while hugging at sunset, as seen in our exclusive pics.
Multiple eyewitnesses told Page Six at the time that they did not see anyone else with Vrabel and Russini.
However, both Russini and Vrabel previously insisted that they were at the resort with friends, whom they claimed simply were not visible in the pictures.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel, who has two kids with wife Jen, told Page Six in a statement at the time. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Russini, who is also married with two children, told us, “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.”
One week after the photos went viral, Russini announced her resignation from her role at the Athletic amid the company launching an investigation into the matter.
“I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30,” the sports reporter wrote in part in her resignation letter, which was obtained by Page Six.
“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Meanwhile, Vrabel spoke to reporters about the photo scandal for the first time at a pre-NFL draft press conference earlier this week, admitting to having “difficult conversations” with his family.
He also thanked the media for their “patience” in what he described as a “personal and private matter.”
“What I can promise you is my family, this organization, this team, the staff, the coaches and the fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward,” Vrabel stated Tuesday while speaking to reporters at Gillette Stadium. “And that’s what I know and I’m excited to do that.”
The Patriots coach avoided answering any further questions about Russini during the presser, and dodged further inquiries in an off-camera press exchange.
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