Mike Vrabel Sent Message to Wife Jen, Kids Before Leaving for Counseling

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel initially said a report linking him to NFL reporter Dianna Russini was "laughable" but has since changed his tune.

After photos of Russini and Vrabel surfaced earlier this month, the head coach's first response was to suggest nothing nefarious was at play. However, earlier this week he told reporters that it was a "personal and private matter," adding he has "had some difficult conversations with people I care about -- with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players."

Just two days later, Vrabel issued a new comment.

Mike Vrabel Won't Be With Patriots for NFL Draft - on Saturday

As the NFL draft kicks off on Thursday night, Vrabel won't be part of the team's plans for the third day of the draft – when all of the elite talent is already off the board. In a statement released to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the head coach revealed he's seeking counseling and will be away from the team.

"As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend," Vrabel said Wednesday night. "This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them."

He offered a new comment for his wife, Jen, and their two children.

"I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be," he added. "This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result."

Mike Vrabel, Wife Jen Married for Nearly 30 Years

Vrabel and his wife Jen have been married for 26 years, but their romance began well before that when then-Jen Boleyn noticed the former Ohio State football player in college.

The former Buckeyes volleyball player revealed she “found him funny enough to ask the professor for his phone number."

She remains one of Ohio State’s all-time assists leaders at the school where Vrabel earned Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year as a junior and senior before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round.

Vrabel credits his wife’s support for making the league in the first place. “[Jen] challenged me to get into the NFL after spending some time at Ohio State,” he revealed in 2018.

Mike Vrabel, Wife Jen Have Two Boys Together

The Vrabel’s have two sons together, Tyler and Carter – who made his appearance into the world while his father was still on the practice field as a player.

“I’m not proud to say this, but I’m just going to tell you about my wife. She gave birth to Carter, I missed it, I was at practice, she was in Ohio,” Vrabel admitted.

“He came early, he flipped, they had to take her. I showed up four hours late because I was playing football and she was having a baby. I love her to death. She’s been through a lot and she understands this league.”

Vrabel will be with the team for the first three rounds of the draft.

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