Crissy Froyd isn't willing to remain silent in the face of controversy. After the sports writer's harsh criticism of fellow journalist Dianna Russini—who resigned from The Athletic amid allegations of an affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, both of whom are married to other people—Froyd was terminated from her position at USA Today Sports. "USA TODAY Sports has terminated its contractual relationship with Crissy Froyd with immediate effect," the company announced in a statement on April 16. "Her recent statements do not align with our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct."
Following her dismissal, Froyd expressed her disappointment to E! News. "I'm so disappointed," she said. "I've been with this network for so long, and I chose to speak out about a woman for something unethical she did. I'm still in disbelief—absolute disbelief."
After pictures of Russini and Vrabel, sharing what appeared to be a rooftop dance with their fingers interlocked, were published by Page Six on April 7, both downplayed the photos in statements to the outlet. In fact, Vrabel called them "completely innocent," while Russini said the pictures "don't represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day."
However, Froyd accused Russini of being a liar after the veteran reporter shared her resignation letter with The Athletic, in which she said she did not "accept the narrative that has been constructed" surrounding the affair allegations. "I'm sure you were told to submit this or that you'd get fired instead," Froyd wrote on X on April 14. "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 harm to women in sports who have done things the right way."
Since then, Froyd has doubled down on her disapproval of Russini for allegedly "hooking up with married NFL coaches." "All of us do know what she's been up to," she said in a statement to the Daily Caller, which she also posted to her Instagram Stories. "It was the worst-kept secret in the NFL reporting world for a while."
In the midst of the scandal, Froyd also defended a controversial relationship she herself had with former college football quarterback JT Daniels, which she said began after their professional relationship had ended. "I had a strong relationship with former QB JT Daniels that, as anyone would imagine under those circumstances, did include multiple sexual encounters and there was a lot involved," she explained. "However, JT and I didn't begin that relationship until after he was out of football."
"I can honestly say I have never slept with a player or coach for professional gain," Froyd concluded. "Dianna cannot say the same. That's where the difference lies."
