NFL Draft Dianna Russini Mike Vrabel Patriots counseling accountability Patriots news NFL coaching personal accountability team distraction

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel held an unplanned press conference at the team’s facility on Thursday evening to address his decision to miss the final day of the NFL Draft to attend counseling sessions.

Vrabel announced the plan on Wednesday night, following the release of multiple sets of photos showing him and former The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini in social settings over the past six years. While he did not discuss specifics of their relationship, he acknowledged that his "previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to."

"I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about: my family, football team, the organization and our fans," Vrabel stated. "My family needs me this weekend and that’s where I’ll be."

He added that he will continue working "however long it takes" to complete the "necessary steps" to become the "best version" of himself for his family and team.

Vrabel previously addressed reporters on Tuesday but did not take questions. During Thursday’s session, he responded to inquiries about the shift in tone from his initial response, where he dismissed concerns about his relationship with Russini as "laughable."

He attributed the earlier stance to an "attempt to protect" his family, calling the situation a "private and personal matter."

Source: Pro Football Talk
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