Bodycam Footage Shows Dianna Russini Name Dropping NFL Coaches to Avoid Ticket

Dianna Russini was pulled over in Ridgewood New Jersey in January 2026. Officers stopped the former ESPN reporter for using her phone while driving. She had just sent a text about Sean McDermott losing his job with the Bills.

Russini told the officer she worked as an NFL reporter and needed to make calls for work. She mentioned recent texts with then Giants coach Brian Daboll. She also showed messages from Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.

The officer reacted when he saw the Vikings coach name on her phone. He chatted with her about the team before deciding on a warning only. The local police chief later said the officer reviewed her driving record and used discretion.

Russini later appeared on a podcast and claimed she FaceTimed an NFL coach to get out of the ticket. The bodycam video shows she never made that call and instead relied on text messages.

She remains under investigation at The Athletic over questions about whether her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel affected her reporting. The footage has drawn mixed reactions online with some viewers noting the officer simply chose not to issue a citation.

Traffic stops like this one often involve drivers attempting to mention connections in hopes of leniency. The released video confirms Russini tried that approach without success on a FaceTime call.