NFL's Vrabel Breaks Silence on Controversy Over Photos

Mike Vrabel finally addressed the controversy that's followed him into draft week—but he wasn't interested in rehashing details. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the New England Patriots head coach thanked the media for giving him space after photos of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini holding hands at an Arizona hotel circulated earlier this month. Both are married to other people. Vrabel said he first needed to have "difficult conversations" with his family, and with Patriots players and coaches, before discussing the controversy publicly, reports People.

He called those conversations "positive and productive" and said he didn't want his private life to distract from this week's NFL draft or the team. "I know I'm going to attack each day with humility and focus," he said, adding that everyone will be getting "the best version of me going forward." Vrabel did not address his relationship with Russini, who has since resigned from her job as a reporter at the Athletic, which is owned by the New York Times.

At NBC Sports, Mike Florio writes that Vrabel's comments are a "far cry" from his initial statement that the photos showed an innocent interaction and that suggestions otherwise were "laughable." The league has said Vrabel is not under investigation over the incident, while the Athletic is investigating whether Russini breached ethical guidelines for reporters.