Aaron Rodgers Calls Out Dianna Russini for Potential ‘Tampering’ in Mike Vrabel Scandal
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NEED TO KNOW
- Aaron Rodgers called out Dianna Russini during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Aug. 6
- Rodgers called Russini’s relationship with Mike Vrabel a “major scandal” and said “it’s just like nobody can f—ing talk about it”
- The Steelers quarterback said he understands “personal lives” should be respected but said Russini and Vrabel’s relationship could have led to “leaks” and “tampering” in the league
Aaron Rodgers had a lot to say about Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal.
Rodgers, 42, returned to The Pat McAfee Showfor a live interview on Monday, Aug. 3, in which the Steelers quarterback called out Russini, 43, and said the former Athletic reporter’s alleged affair with Vrabel, 50, could be affecting the NFL.
“There was another scandal this offseason, too, involving a voter for MVP, for Coach of the Year. How much time do you get? Did your networks spend on their work?,” Rodgers asked McAfee.
“You have literally an individual that maybe used to work at ESPN, that covers our league at the highest level, and there’s a major scandal and it’s just like nobody can f—ing talk about it,” he continued, referring to Russini, who worked at ESPN before joining The Athletic. “What are we even doing here?”
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When one of McAfee’s co-hosts pushed back on Rodgers, saying that Russini and Vrabel’s “personal lives are personal lives” and telling Rodgers he “of all people should know that,” the quarterback said he understands but argued that the alleged affair between the NFL head coach and former reporter has an impact on the league.
“I understand, but if it’s affecting certain things, if there’s leaks going on, if there’s tampering going on, if that person is also an MVP voter and a coach of the year voter,” Rodgers said before launching into an anecdote about a “bum in Chicago” when he was voted MVP in 2021.
“How are we allowing to have these people to have an impact?,” Rodgers asked.
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Following his controversial comments, Rodgers joked, “I told these boys I was bringing it today,” on McAfee’s show.
Vrabel and Russini’s photo scandal began when photos published by Page Six on April 7 showed the two holding hands, hugging and lounging poolside at the boutique Ambiente Sedona resort. The pair initially denied that the photos indicated anything more than a professional relationship, but days later, Russini resigned from The Athletic.
Since then, more photos of the pair from over the years have surfaced online, including an image of Russini and Vrabel kissing at a bar in 2020 and video of them renting a boat in 2021, when the NFL insider was 7 months pregnant with her first son, Michael Andrew, whom she shares with husband Kevin Goldschmidt.
Vrabel stepped away from the Patriots to “seek counseling” on the third day of the NFL Draft and publicly admitted to having “difficult conversations” with his wife after the photo leaks continued.
“I understand I could’ve addressed you guys sooner, but it was important to me to have a conversation with the players, which I did yesterday, very candidly,” Vrabel told reporters on April 21. “I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about. My family, this football team, the organization and the fans.”
Vrabel, whom Rodgers has not played for, returned to the Patriots soon after and is leading the team once again.
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