NFL analyst Chris Simms was bluntly told to ‘stay on target’ as he was abruptly interrupted while discussing the photos of Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel live on air.
Suggestive photos were published last week showing New England Patriots coach Vrabel, 50, and NFL insider Russini, 43, hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at the $2,500-per-night getaway in Sedona, Arizona.
Vrabel, the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, and Russini, a top reporter for The Athletic, are married to other people. They both share two sons with their respective spouses.
Simms discussed the scandal during his ‘Pro Football Talk’ appearance on NBC Sports, branding it the ‘biggest story in the NFL.’
‘I’d shoot you straight,’ he said. ‘These are things that I’ve been texting with my friends in the coaching world. Even their wives are involved in the conversation.’
However, Mike Florio swiftly interrupted Simms, shutting down his commentary in an awkward moment.
NFL analyst Chris Simms (right) was interrupted by Mike Florio (left) while discussing the photos of reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Russini and Vrabel were seen hugging and lounging by a pool in photos published last week
Florio repeatedly told the analyst to ‘stay on target’ – a niche Star Wars reference that was intended to steer Simms away from the subject. But the reference was lost on Simms, forcing a bumbling Florio to explain the moment from the space opera saga.
‘Look, there’s a lot there. And, there’s only so much that is reported and known,’ Florio explained.
Both Russini and Vrabel issued statements confirming the March 28 interaction but have denied any improper conduct, with Vrabel specifically calling the story ‘laughable.’ Russini told Page Six she and Vrabel were at the resort with larger groups of people.
But on Tuesday, Russini resigned from The Athletic, while standing behind all of her work from her 15-year career at the publication, ESPN, and other outlets.
A defiant Russini insisted that her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel.
‘I do so [resign] 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,’ she said.
‘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.’
A defiant Russini has insisted her resignation does not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel
Russini married fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020
Russini interviewing Vrabel last year after he got the Patriots job
Days after the photos emerged, The Athletic announced it was reinvestigating Russini and that she would be sidelined during that process.
Executive editor Steven Ginsberg’s message to Athletic reporters on Tuesday said: ‘While I can’t share the details of our investigation into Dianna’s conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership of The Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment we learned about it.
‘When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.
‘As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.
‘While our investigation into Dianna’s conduct was ongoing, she chose to resign. We will continue a standards review of Dianna’s work.’