USA Today has terminated the contract of NFL reporter Crissy Froyd after she launched a public, scathing criticism of fellow sports journalist Dianna Russini, who resigned from The Athletic earlier this week amidst controversy.
The publisher confirmed on Thursday that Froyd’s dismissal was “effective immediately.” In a statement, USA Today said her recent statements “do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct.” Froyd, who had been with the publication for a decade covering the NFL and college football for its Sports Media Group, told TMZ the termination left her “beyond distraught,” questioning why she, as an independent contractor, could not make statements on her own social media accounts.
Froyd’s Comments and the Russini Controversy
Froyd’s firing was a direct response to comments she made following Dianna Russini’s resignation from The Athletic, a publication owned by The New York Times, on Tuesday. Russini’s departure came after the publication of suggestive photos showing her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel hugging and lounging together at a luxury resort in Sedona, Arizona. Both Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, have denied any improper conduct, with Vrabel calling the story “laughable” and Russini stating they were at the resort with larger groups.
In response to Russini’s resignation letter, Froyd wrote online: “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.”
The Allegations Against Russini
Froyd subsequently expanded on her accusations in a statement provided to the Daily Caller, making a series of claims about Russini’s professional conduct. She alleged a pattern of behaviour well-known within NFL reporting circles, stating, “From fights with other reporters in Chili’s parking lots about hooking up with married NFL coaches to everything else, it is almost certainly all true. It was the worst kept secret in the NFL reporting world for a while.”
Froyd further claimed that someone had once suggested Russini as a potential mentor to her, an offer she declined because she knew “what she was about and her track record.” The Daily Mail has reported reaching out to Russini for comment on these allegations. Russini has not responded publicly to Froyd’s specific claims, stating earlier this week that “everything” she has to say is contained within her resignation letter.
Froyd’s Defence and Counter-accusations
In the wake of her dismissal, Froyd has defended her actions and addressed accusations of hypocrisy levied against her due to a past relationship with former college quarterback J.T. Daniels. She stated that her relationship with Daniels, which “did include multiple sexual encounters,” began only after he was out of football. “I can honestly say I have never slept with a player or coach for professional gain,” Froyd asserted. “Dianna cannot say the same. That’s where the difference is.”
She insisted to TMZ that she held no “vendetta” against Russini and was not “actively waiting for the perfect moment” to criticise her, but felt she “could finally say something without being the only one.” Despite losing her job, Froyd said she was “looking forward to what is next” and would “walk away with my head held high,” adding that she holds “zero regret.”
Russini, in her resignation, remained defiant. She stated that leaving The Athletic was not an acceptance of the narrative surrounding her and Vrabel, but a refusal to “lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.” She affirmed that she had “covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career,” and stood behind every story published during her 15-year tenure at The Athletic, ESPN, and other outlets.
