Mike Vrabel’s alleged cheating scandal with NFL insider Dianna Russini has been the biggest story of the offseason.
It even took over the NFL Draft, with the New England Patriots coach skipping the third day of the event to seek counseling.
However, despite extensive discussion on social media and in some blogs, major networks and NFL insiders have steered clear of this controversy. Not anymore.
In an appearance on the “Between The Tackles” podcast, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport finally shared his two cents on the situation.
Ian Rapoport discusses the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini saga
“Watching it play out in public has been really sad,” Rapoport said. “I’ve seen this in other walks of life, and in other sorts of celebrities or important people; I’ve never really seen it with people that I know. It’s really different and like not good, and sad.”
Rapoport also expressed his solidarity with both of their families, knowing this must’ve been a tough time for their significant others and kids:
“I would not wish anybody on any level to go through anything like everyone involved in this is going through,” Rapoport continued.
Public figures are subjected to public scrutiny, including being held to different — and often unrealistic and unfair — standards. Fans are quick to judge.
Still, those who lamented the major insiders’ and networks’ radio silence on the situation had a valid point. Had it been an athlete, they’d probably have discussed it at length.
Then again, digging deep into this story clearly wasn’t in their best interest. Not only did it cast doubts on journalistic integrity and ethics, but it could also have an unwanted effect on their personal relationships with sources.
At the end of the day, this matter concerns only the parties involved, and while a reporter’s job is to report the facts, there’s no need to jump to conclusions or make judgments.
Now, if Vrabel benefited from Russini’s intel or voting rights, which hasn’t been proven, that might be a different conversation.