Before she stirred controversy and speculation with her photos with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, NFL insider Dianna Russini was shading her husband on national television.
During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up in 2021, Russini, 43, brought up her own marriage to her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, when discussing quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ engagement to Shailene Woodley.
“I think we all do weird things when we’re in love,” Russini said. “We overshare and overpost. Look, he’s getting married to a beautiful actress. I’m married to someone average. I don’t post a lot about him. If I was married to someone beautiful, I’d overpost too.”
Get Up host Mike Greenberg responded, “This doesn’t seem nice. We put together photos of Dianna’s husband here for everyone to see, so you can make some amends on national television.”
Russini wasn’t interested, however, saying, “We’re average together.”
“You know what the worst part is?” she continued. “He sent me a text during that segment — not watching, because he actually works for a living — and he said, ‘Good luck day. Be great on Get Up.’ The guy’s got a heart of gold. Here I am on national TV killing him.”
Russini added, “I am so sorry, I need to really stop killing my husband on television. We’re going to be divorced by Christmas.”
The NFL reporter and her husband got married in 2020 and, as of now, have not gotten divorced. The couple share two sons: Michael, 4, and Joey, 3.
For the record, Rodgers, 42, and Woodley, 34, never tied the knot, breaking off their engagement in 2022.
Russini’s relationship became a hot topic again when Page Six published photos on Tuesday, April 7, showing her and Vrabel together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona. The pair could be seen linking fingers, sunbathing by the pool and even sharing a hot tub.
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, since 1999, and the couple share sons Tyler, 25, and Carter, 24.
Shortly after the photos were published, both Russini and Vrabel issued statements to Page Six downplaying their relationship.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini said. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Russini did not mention any of the other alleged six individuals by name.
Vrabel added, “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
