Former NFL reporter Crissy Froyd has launched another scathing attack on Dianna Russini following the latter’s comments about returning to sports journalism after months away from the profession.
Froyd, who was previously dismissed from USA Today after publicly criticising Russini, expressed her anger in a post on social media after reading the former Athletic reporter’s first interview since the controversy.
Reacting to Russini’s suggestion that she hoped to become an inspiration to other women in sports, Froyd wrote:
‘A hero and inspiration for women in sports? Gross thing to say when you’re the opposite. Lie to yourself and everyone else harder @DMRussini. You disgust me.’
Russini Opens Up About Scandal Ahead of Return
Russini resigned from her position as an NFL insider at The Athletic in April after photographs emerged showing her holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona.
The images triggered speculation about the nature of their relationship and allegations of an affair involving the two.
A subsequent investigation by The Athletic, which is owned by The New York Times, concluded that Russini had been ‘noncompliant’ with the publication’s standards.
Following her departure, Russini has announced her return to NFL coverage through a weekly programme called ‘The Russini Report‘, which will be hosted by Costa Rica-based gambling company BetUS.
Ahead of the launch, she spoke to People magazine about the difficult period, describing the experience as a ‘nightmare’ that left her ‘heartbroken’.
She also discussed the support she had received from people across the NFL and her hopes of returning to the profession.
‘I really hope that I can be someone other women see: you can pick yourself up, get back in there and not be afraid,’ Russini said.
Froyd Was Fired After Criticising Russini’s Resignation
Froyd previously made headlines after publicly attacking Russini when she announced her departure from The Athletic.
At the time, Froyd responded to Russini’s resignation statement by questioning the circumstances surrounding it and criticising her conduct.
‘I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead,’ Froyd wrote.
‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years.
It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way.’
Froyd, who covered the NFL and college football for USA Today SMG, was subsequently dismissed by the organisation over her remarks.
USA Today confirmed that her contract had been terminated ‘effective immediately’, explaining that her comments did not reflect the company’s commitment to professionalism or its principles of ethical conduct.
Reporter Maintains She Has No Regrets Over Comments
Although Froyd told TMZ that she was ‘beyond distraught’ following her dismissal, the 26-year-old made clear that she stood by her criticism of Russini.
In a statement shared on X, she acknowledged her departure from USA Today while defending her earlier remarks.
‘I would like to acknowledge the statements put out about me recently and that I am also no longer with USA TODAY SMG.
I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it,’ she wrote.
She added: ‘I feel I’ve been very transparent and did nothing wrong.’
Froyd has now renewed her criticism following Russini’s latest interview, maintaining her opposition to the reporter’s return.
Linda Cohn Questions How Russini Will Handle Her Comeback
Froyd is not the only female sports journalist to raise concerns about Russini’s return.
Former ESPN SportsCenter presenter Linda Cohn has also questioned how the NFL reporter intends to address the controversy and maintain public interest in her new programme.
Speaking on her eponymous show, Cohn pointed out that many people had only become familiar with Russini’s name following the photographs involving Vrabel.
‘There were a lot of people who didn’t even know who Dianna Russini was before that scandal with Mike Vrabel,’ Cohn said.
She questioned how Russini would retain the attention of viewers who had become curious about her following the controversy.
‘Now that she has gotten the curiosity seekers involved, people now know who she is for all the wrong reasons.
How is she going to keep them after the first show?’ she asked.
Cohn suggested that viewers would expect Russini to address the events of April and explain what she had learned from the experience.
Cohn Urges Russini to Address Controversy Publicly
The former ESPN presenter argued that Russini should be open about her experiences rather than avoid discussing the scandal during her comeback.
She suggested that acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility could help the reporter connect with her new audience.
‘She is smart. She doesn’t want my advice. But if she is smart, she would share the human side of her, that people make mistakes, that she made a big one, and that she’d admit the wrongdoing,’ Cohn said.
She also disagreed with a sports writer who had argued that Russini should avoid discussing the controversy.
According to Cohn, addressing the issue could make Russini appear more relatable to viewers.
‘I think it could humanize her because everybody makes mistakes,’ she said.
‘Maybe they don’t make that kind of mistake. But people make mistakes.’
Cohn added that if Russini could acknowledge her mistakes and admit fault when speaking to viewers, she might be able to maintain their interest in her new weekly programme.
