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Vrabel-Russini Kiss Photos Prompt Draft Absence, No NFL Probe

4/25/2026

39 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

2020 New York bar photos of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and journalist Dianna Russini kissing were released before the 2026 NFL Draft began.
Vrabel will miss the draft’s third day for counseling, with the Patriots backing his decision.
Russini resigned from The Athletic and made her X account private after the scandal.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the incident is not covered by league’s personal-conduct policy, so NFL will not investigate.

History

Historical Context

In April 2007 the NFL, led by Commissioner Roger Goodell, introduced a personal-conduct policy that extended discipline to players, coaches and staff. Although a 2014 domestic-violence amendment tightened rules, incidents such as Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s 2026 kiss of journalist Dianna Russini remain outside its scope, and the policy has suspended only seven players as of December 2011.

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Story summary

2020 New York bar photos of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and journalist Dianna Russini kissing were released before the 2026 NFL Draft began.
Vrabel will miss the draft’s third day for counseling, with the Patriots backing his decision.
Russini resigned from The Athletic and made her X account private after the scandal.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the incident is not covered by league’s personal-conduct policy, so NFL will not investigate.

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