Former NFL insider Dianna Russini has dominated the headlines this week after an anecdote about a traffic stop was debunked by bodycam footage from the actual incident. The footage of the stop, obtained and published by Adam Herbets of The Center Square on Monday, obliterated Russini’s claims about FaceTiming an NFL coach, further compromising her reputation.
Emmanuel Acho Questions Dianna Russini’s Integrity
During a recent segment of the “Speakeasy” show, former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho blasted Russini’s integrity and speculated that she would never land another job in the industry after the traffic stop footage was released.
“Do I think she will? It’s hard because now think about it. If you’re anybody, she done slandered J.J. McCarthy publicly, you’re not an opinionist, you’re a reporter,” Acho said. “You done leaked your sources, showing text messages, you done leaked your sources talking to Brian Daboll, talking to whoever else.
“You done allegedly slept with another married man who’s also a coach, who’s also a source. You just got integrity issues on an occupational level, on a moral level, on every level. I just don’t know what legitimate person could…”
In the clip, the officer revealed to Russini that his favorite NFL team was the Minnesota Vikings. Russini proceeded to show the officer text messages exchanged with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, before taking a parting shot at the franchise’s quarterback, McCarthy, claiming that he “sucks.”
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Russini Gets Dave Portnoy’s Backing
During an interview with “Us Weekly”, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy revealed that he would hire Russini at his outlet and backed the former NFL insider to get a job in the industry.
“No-brainer, if she wanted to work here, we’d do it,” Portnoy said. “An affair is not like a murder… She’ll land somewhere, and you know, if people who have affairs are never allowed to work again in this country, you’re gonna lose a significant amount of the workforce.”
“It is obviously really sad, but at the same time, that’s not like a capital offense that should end somebody’s professional career,” he added.
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The Athletic’s in-depth investigation into Russini’s journalistic conduct has been ongoing for over two months, since her alleged affair with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was discovered in early April.
The New York Times further piled on the media frenzy surrounding the Russini-Vrabel saga with an explosive article published last week, detailing the timeline of events that has had the NFL world on tenterhooks for months.
