NFL reporter brutally sacked for Dianna Russini comments but has 'no regrets'

NFL writer Crissy Froyd has doubled down after being sacked for her comments on fellow journalist Dianna Russini.

Russini, a former NFL reporter for The Athletic, resigned from her role last week after photos of her holding hands and hugging New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a resort in Arizona emerged online.

Both Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, are married and have since released statements denying any wrongdoing or a relationship.

However, The Athletic confirmed that following the publication of the photos, an internal investigation into her relationship Vrabel and her coverage of the Patriots would be reviewed, with the publication's editorial guidelines prohibiting journalists from any activities that pose a conflict of interest.

Shortly after, Russini published her letter of resignation, drawing further attention to the situation, with many of her peers weighing in.

Among those to criticise Russini was Froyd, an NFL writer for USA Today Sports, who celebrated her fellow reporter's resignation calling her a "detriment to women in sports."

"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," Froyd said in the aftermath of Russini releasing her statement of resignation.

"It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way."

Froyd was later let go by the outlet for the comments, with an official statement saying that her comments 'do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct.'

Dianna Russini handed in her resignation letter after the photos appeared online. (Image: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

But Froyd clearly has no regrets about voicing her opinion, as she took to social media to double down on the comments, referring to herself as a 'martyr'.

"I would like to acknowledge the statements put out about me recently and that I am also no longer with USA TODAY SMG," she wrote in a statement on X.

"I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it. If you want to talk, my messages are open. My email is operative, too. I feel I've been very transparent and did nothing wrong.

"I also find it so interesting that a Nancy Armour column was able to be published about Dianna Russini setting women back on USAT, but that my comments as a freelancer on my own social media about her were not fine.

"Be bold and speak out. Will it make a martyr out of you? Maybe. But some things are worth it and some are not. This was."

Since then, Froyd has posted several times, sharing messages of support and further lashing out at her former employers for their decision.

Meanwhile, Russini has remained silent on social media since sharing her resignation letter, while Vrabel appears to have been unimpacted by the news.