Mike Vrabel Receives Standing Ovation at Patriots Season Ticket Holder Event Amid Dianna Russini Scandal

Video captures New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel receiving a standing ovation at a season ticket holder event amid his alleged cheating scandal with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini.

On Tuesday, Apr. 28, Vrabel received a round of applause as he entered the event for a Q&A with fans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The applause turned into a standing ovation after Patriots radio analyst Scott Zolak stood up and urged the crowed to also stand.

Vrabel led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl since the Tom Brady era earlier this year, with the team ultimately losing 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks.

Vrabel and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye were also named the “most influential Bostonians” by Boston Magazine on Apr. 28.

RELATED: Dianna Russini’s Alleged Spotify Playlist for Mike Vrabel Surfaces Amid Scandal

Two weeks ago, photos published in the New York Post showed Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging at a luxury hotel in Arizona.

After the pictures went viral, both called the photos “misleading” and vehemently denied rumors of an affair. The journalist has been married to Kevin Goldschmidt since 2020 while the football coach and his wife Jennifer have been married since 1999.

Nevertheless, Russini resigned from the publication on Apr. 14, and Vrabel announced on Thursday, Apr. 23 that he would be seeking counseling in the wake of the scandal.

Later on Apr. 23, Page Six released photos that appeared to show Russini and Vrabel kissing at a bar in New York City in March 2020—seemingly confirming the alleged affair and sparking questions about the timeline of the pair’s relationship.

RELATED: Dianna Russini Tweet From 2021 Resurfaces, Fueling Mike Vrabel Affair Rumors

“I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about,” Vrabel told reporters before the 2026 NFL Draft on Apr. 23. “My family, this football team, the organization and the fans.”

Earlier that day, Vrabel announced that he would miss the third day of the draft on Saturday, Apr. 25 to attend counseling in the wake of the scandal.

“My priorities are my family and this football and in that order,” he added. “There’s a balance there that I’m going to create. My family needs me this weekend and that’s where I’ll be.”

Vrabel declined to elaborate on what the counseling would entail, calling it a “private and personal matter.” He also told reporters that he could not say for certain if he would miss any further football activities going forward.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬