Russini forced his way out while Vrabel emerged unscathed from the photo scandal

The leaked hot tub photos were embarrassing, no question about it.

There was NFL reporter Dianna Russini of The New York Times — part of The Athletic — getting cozy with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.

Other photos obtained by Page Six of the New York Post showed the couple, both married, locked in each other’s arms on the roof of a bathroom, and holding hands at a luxury hotel in Sedona, Ariz.

More details in a moment, but the bottom line is the worst myth, known as civilization itself.

DIANNA RUSSINI QUIT THE ATHLETIC SPORTS AMID MIKE VRABEL’S CONFLICT

The woman takes the fall, and nothing happens to the boy.

Russini was forced to resign from the Times, while Vrabel, meanwhile, emerged unscathed.

This does not mean that Russini is an innocent victim. He had no idea about the seriousness of what he had done. You’re rallying the Patriots! That is, along with the other teams in the league. On what planet is this off limits?

PATRIOTS’ MIKE VRABEL WAS NOT EXPECTED AT TEAM’S PRESS CONFERENCE

Moreover, they were not really smart. Russini must have known that pictures were being taken. Does everyone know by now that pictures, especially of the fun variety, are constantly popping up on the interwebs?

And it’s a big shame for the Times, which rushed to Russia’s defense when the story first broke.

The Athletic, which replaced the Times sports desk so that subscribers could be charged more, and did a very good job, liquidated the original accounts.

“I’ve covered the NFL with great care and dedication throughout my career, and I follow up on every story I’ve ever published,” Russini said. “The sad thing is that the commentators of different media have gone into self-indulgent ways that are not true.” (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Steven Ginsberg, editor-in-chief of The Athletic, supported Russini, telling the New York newspaper that he was “proud” of him. “These images are misleading and have no important context. This was public communication in front of many people.”
But as Front Office Sports later reported, The Athletic decided to investigate Russini’s account, and that the photos were purchased from TMZ and elsewhere. ESPN confirmed that the Post’s filing raised concerns that were being reviewed.

Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and was named NFL Coach of the Year, couldn’t have fired more. “These pictures show an innocent connection and any suggestion is ridiculous,” he told the Post. “This does not represent another answer.” That was it.

But Russini had a lot to say since he was allowed to resign. In a letter he wrote to Ginsberg on Tuesday, obtained by the AP, he offered no remorse:

“I’ve covered the NFL professionally and with dedication throughout my career, and I follow every story I’ve ever published…unfortunately, commentators in various media outlets have engaged in self-serving speculation that turns out to have no bearing on the facts.”

“Furthermore, this media frenzy is moving forward regardless of the review process that The Athletic is trying to eliminate. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in sending a public inquiry that has caused more damage than I am willing to accept.”

Russini said he is quitting before his contract expires on June 30 “because I refuse to lend it another breath or let it define me or my work.”

Sadly, he still hasn’t. Journalists should avoid even the appearance of conflict.

Now some media outlets are asking us the inevitable question.

NBC Sports asked: “Is there a double standard for Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini?”

But reporter Mike Florio writes that Vrabel has a very different job in Massachusetts. If this trainer is leaking false information to the public, he says as an assumption, that could be a problem.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DEFENDS MIKE VRABEL, NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER ON LEAKED PHOTOS.

Vrabel has, so far, come out of this situation unscathed. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

And there’s this vague catch in the league’s rules for players: “Conduct that undermines or threatens the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs or NFL personnel.”

The Boston Globe also attacked the “double standard,” saying that the credibility of female reporters was more easily challenged and that male figures such as coaches were less likely to have consequences.

Global columnist Chad Finn says “accountability is not equal.”

Sports veteran, Jeff Pearlman, in a TikTok video said that if he had a private meeting with Mike Vrabel, there would be no headlines, even if they jumped in a hot tub, but if it’s a female reporter, it’s national news.

“It’s unfair but it’s true for female journalists, it’s not fair, but they should be careful when they write about a certain man…It’s a painful double standard.”

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Look, I get it. Journalists are held to a high moral standard. Female journalists in particular are held to a higher ethical standard than sources. Especially if the source is a powerful man. And especially if that man just took his team to the Super Bowl.

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But no one is looking good here — not the Times, not Dianna Russini, not the Patriots, not the National Football League, and not its head coach.
A year.