Dianna Russini faced scrutiny from the New York Times for "unacceptable behavior" during a traffic stop.
The now-former NFL insider for The Athletic revealed during a podcast appearance that she was once able to talk herself out of a ticket by using her professional connections. Russini, who is from New Jersey, told the story during a January 2026 podcast appearance. The former The Athletic and ESPN reporter was pulled over for texting and driving, with her two young children in the car. Russini told the police officer that Bills coach Sean McDermott had been fired and she was trying to break the news.
The officer didn't care for that, though, as he was a fan of another NFL team. Russini then used her connections to her favor.
“Do you want to talk to the coach?" Russini said on the podcast. "You should talk to the coach. . . .
“I FaceTime the head coach. Head coach is in his office. He said, ‘What’s up?’ I go, ‘I just got pulled over and I just wanted you to meet my friend, Officer Joe.'"
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The NFL coach, who was not identified by Russini in her story, said to the officer, "You should let her go, she’s a good citizen." Russini was not ticketed.
The New York Times clarified that the head coach in question was not Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Russini faces scrutiny for her conduct
The New York Times confirmed that Russini's behavior, both on the podcast and during the traffic stop, was "unacceptable conduct."
The Athletic, which is owned by the New York Times, is currently investigating Russini's work and behavior, following her resignation earlier this year.
Russini told the New York Times in a text message that her life and career have been derailed due to the Mike Vrabel scandal.
“This has had a significant impact on my life, both professionally and personally.”
Russini did not want her text messages shared.
“When the reporter told her that this article would include portions of her text message because no agreement had been made for them to engage in an off-the-record correspondence, Ms. Russini objected and then emailed Mr. Perpich, the publisher of The Athletic, as well as two senior editors at The Times to reiterate her wish that her comments not be included," The Times reported.
