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“We Have to Start Being Adults” – Mike Vrabel’s Latest PR Stunt Blows Up In His Face

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Mike Vrabel during a press conference.
Mike Vrabel. Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has had a rough few months, and his latest press conference did little to change the conversation — even with an adorable co-star by his side. Vrabel clearly meant the moment to be lighthearted, but it didn’t take long for the internet to read between the lines.

It’s been a turbulent stretch in Foxborough. Vrabel led the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance in his first season as head coach, but that momentum stalled after he became entangled in a very public scandal with Dianna Russini, a reporter formerly with The Athletic. Russini ultimately lost her job over the situation, while Vrabel has largely continued on as if nothing happened.

Mike Vrabel Shows Up To Presser With A Puppy Named BB

Mike Vrabel during his most recent press conference.
Mike Vrabel. (Image via YouTube)

Vrabel walked into his most recent media session, cradling a German Shepherd puppy named BB, dressed in a tiny Patriots jersey for the occasion. The Patriots’ own social team shared the moment, captioning it “A puppy at the podium.”

It’s a stark contrast to the tone surrounding Vrabel this offseason, following his cheating scandal involving former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The scandal stemmed from photos that surfaced this spring showing Vrabel and Russini together at an Arizona resort, followed by additional images from years earlier that reignited the story just as the NFL Draft got underway.

Despite the fallout, and reports that he briefly stepped away for counseling, Vrabel remains the Patriots’ head coach heading into training camp.

Mike Vrabel’s Puppy Stunt Doesn’t Fool Everyone

Mike Vrabel at a press conference.
Mike Vrabel. Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Fans and media members quickly picked up on what looked like a calculated move.

“please tell me we’re not going to have an nfl coach herbstreiting a dog around all season because he’s in pr trouble, we have to start being adults about this,” one said.

“PR team working overtime here for Vrabel: Pressers with puppies is the easiest way to: – disarm the tension in the room (which helps the speaker,in this case, Vrabel) – Softens the persons image to the press (he can’t be that bad with a puppy right? – the thought),” one wrote.

“‘People won’t think I’m a scumbag anymore if I bring a puppy up with me,’” someone said.

The irony wasn’t lost on longtime observers, either, given Vrabel previously earned praise for letting a female reporter ask the first question at his pressers, a gesture that now reads differently given the circumstances.

Vrabel has largely kept his job and his marriage intact despite the scandal, and as long as the Patriots keep winning, it’s unlikely any of this will cost him his position. Nobody knows yet whether BB will become a training-camp regular, but for now, the puppy has become the most talked-about member of the Patriots’ media operation.

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