Dianna Russini Accused Of Lying About Rescue Story

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 1, 2026 8:48 AM ET

It might be a new month, but NFL insider Dianna Russini is still making headlines for the wrong reasons.

Russini became the talk of the NFL when Page Six released photos of her hugging New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a hotel in Arizona. Despite denying any wrongdoing in her initial statement, she eventually resigned from her role with The Athletic.

“This media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” Russini said in her resignation letter. “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.”

Just days after Russini resigned from The Athletic, it was reported that she rescued an elderly man in Wyckoff, New Jersey. The 73-year-old's Jeep flipped onto its side after a collision with a Honda Civic.

“She ran out and had a tall man put her on top of the Jeep to open the door, and she and the other guy pulled the driver and his dog out of the Jeep,” a source told Page Six.

Interestingly enough, a second source familiar with the situation told Page Six that Russini didn't actually play a huge role in this rescue operation.

"After we confirmed through public records that the second tipster was who they claimed to be — a fellow resident of Northern New Jersey — we interviewed them about the crash. That tipster said that — while Russini had indeed come into the street to help with the crash — it was in fact the tipster’s husband, not Russini, who had freed the driver and his dog by ripping open the canvas roof of the Jeep," Page Six reported. "The tipster added that Russini had merely held the dog’s leash after the pet had been released from the wreckage. And she insisted that Russini most certainly had not scaled the car. (Sadly the alleged man of the hour declined to speak with us)."

What's the latest on Russini?

According to Daily Mail, it's too early for Russini to even think about her career. Her main priority right now is spending time with her family.

“Dianna is a bit shellshocked by it all and has not really shown her hand in all of this, as it has been a very intense situation that she is still trying to figure out and feel out,” the report from Daily Mail stated. “She’s neither here nor there right now as the dust hasn’t settled one bit. Nobody including herself knows what the next move for her will be. One thing she is mainly focusing on is being a mom and to protect her kids through all of this madness.”

Russini worked at ESPN for several years before landing a gig with The Athletic. While there's no denying she's broken countless stories, it's unclear if major networks are willing to form a partnership with her.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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