Stephen A. Smith has assigned blame for the Dianna Russini scandal.
Russini, the longtime NFL insider, announced her resignation from The Athletic last week. She was photographed at an Arizona resort with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Russini and Vrabel, who are both married, denied the understandable speculation after their photos surfaced.
The prominent NFL insider allegedly felt that sexism was at play with the reaction to the scandal.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career," she announced.
“Over a career spanning more than fifteen years in sports journalism — at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic — I have built a body of work I am proud of. I have broken stories, earned the trust of sources across the league, and been guided by the highest standards of professional conduct. That record speaks for itself.
“I remain grateful to The Athletic and for the extraordinary colleagues with whom I have worked there, for the platform it provided, and for the support you showed me during this difficult time. I wish you nothing but continued success.”
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Meanwhile, Smith assigned blame for the scandal on Monday.
The ESPN personality denied that sexism was at play. He made it clear that the onus was on her.
Smith takes aim at Russini after scandal
“I don’t think misogyny applies in this particular case,” Smith insisted on a recent episode of his SiriusXM and Mad Dog Sports Radio show, per Awful Announcing. “The fact of the matter is, he’s the head coach of an NFL team. She’s a reporter. The onus is on her to make sure her objectivity is not skewed in any way. Now, I give her the benefit of the doubt. She worked at ESPN for 10 years as my colleague. She’s a wonderful person, she’s a damn good reporter, I respect the hell out of her, and I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt.
“If she says this stuff isn’t true, I’m gonna believe her until further evidence to the contrary is provided. Having said that, it still didn’t stop me from saying that when you know that you are a reporter and this is a head coach of an NFL team and you cover the NFL, you can’t put yourself in that position.”
Vrabel, meanwhile, has yet to comment publicly on Russini's resignation.
