Dianna Russini’s defiant reason for resigning from The Athletic amid MIke Vrabel scandal

Amid the ongoing scandal with Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel, The Athletic’s lead NFL reporter has resigned in the latest twist in this saga.

Russini issued a statement (via the Associated Press) about her decision to Athletic Executive Editor, Steven Ginsberg. She is “grateful” for The Athletic’s support, but is now stepping away.

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”

Russini’s resignation comes two months before her contract was set to expire on June 30. Now, it’s not because she is accepting the “narrative,” but rather, she is refusing “to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” Russini explained. “Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. 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.”

How the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal began

The scandal began when Russini and Vrabel were photographed together at a resort in Sedona. This caused a stir, given that they are both married to other people. However, they both denied any wrongdoing.

After the reports surfaced, The Athletic suspended Russini. Naturally, the scandal called the integrity of her reporting into question, given that she covers the NFL, including Vrabel’s New England Patriots.

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