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Dianna Russini’s eventful week took an unexpected turn when she stepped into the role of a rescuer, reportedly saving an elderly man and his dog following a car accident in New Jersey on Wednesday.
As reported by Page Six, Russini, who had resigned from her position at The Athletic just a day earlier amid allegations of an affair with NFL coach Mike Vrabel, was driving directly behind the elderly man. The incident occurred when a 17-year-old driver in a Honda Civic made a turn onto a street in the suburban area of Wyckoff and collided with the man’s Jeep.
The impact of the crash caused the 73-year-old man’s 4×4 to overturn, trapping him and his dog inside the vehicle. That’s when Russini sprang into action.
Witnesses at the scene reportedly noted that the NFL reporter quickly reacted by enlisting the help of a tall man to lift her onto the Jeep, allowing her to access the door and assist in freeing the driver and his dog.
Police arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Wyckoff Police Department to gather more details about the incident.
It has been quite the week for Russini, who stepped away from her job at The Athletic after she was pictured hugging, lounging poolside and laughing with Vrabel at a $2,500-per-night getaway in Sedona, Arizona.
Dianna Russini rescued an elderly man and his dog from a crash in New Jersey on Wednesday
The reporter allegedly rescued the 73-year-old man and his dog from a flipped-over Jeep
The pair, who are both married, have denied having an affair and instead downplayed what the images appeared to depict.
Yet on Tuesday it was announced that Russini has left The Athletic amid an investigation into the matter, with the under-fire writer hitting out at speculation that is ‘simply unmoored from the facts’ on her way out.
She said in a letter to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg: ‘I do so [resign] not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.
‘I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published.’
‘This media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete,’ she added.
‘It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.
‘Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30.’
Russini is not the only female reporter to lose her job in light of the scandal, nevertheless.
Russini was driving right behind the man when a 17-year-old in a Honda Civic (pictured) turned onto a street in suburban Wyckoff and collided with his Jeep
An eyewitness reportedly claimed that the NFL insider ‘ran out and had a tall man put her on top of the Jeep to open the door’
They then rescued the man and his dog from the Jeep before the police arrived at the scene
Russini resigned from The Athletic amid claims she had an affair with NFL coach Mike Vrabel
On Thursday another NFL writer, Crissy Froyd, was fired by USA Today for taking a brutal shot at Russini over her Athletic resignation this week.
In response to her resignation letter, Froyd – who covered the NFL and college football for USA Today SMG – kicked her counterpart while she’s down by commenting: ‘I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.
‘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.’
Yet in light of her damning public criticism of Russini, USA Today confirmed in a statement on Thursday that Froyd’s contract has been terminated ‘effective immediately’.
‘Her recent statements do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct,’ the statement added.
Froyd has reacted to her shock dismissal in an interview with TMZ , admitting it has left her ‘beyond distraught’.
‘I struggle to understand the positioning here after that was published, but that apparently I as an independent contractor cannot make my own statements on my own social media accounts.’