Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy has dealt with a considerable amount of criticism in his first two seasons in the NFL. As it turns out, one comment became part of a traffic stop.
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Dianna Russini, formerly of The Athletic, told a police officer that the Vikings "quarterback sucks" while trying to get out of a ticket for texting and driving. The officer, who recorded the interaction with his bodycam, happened to be a fan of the NFC North team.
This is incredible.
Did not have Kevin O'Connell being the "coach" from the Russini traffic stop but here we are. https://t.co/MahmCm1AP3 pic.twitter.com/2iuxcUcnuK
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 30, 2026
This comment followed a season in which McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter in 10 games while throwing for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He rushed for four touchdowns.
The former Michigan quarterback showed some flashes of potential at times, but he also played at a wildly inconsistent level. He missed multiple games due to injuries.
This interaction is one that The Athletic mentioned in a deep-dive story about the now-controversial sports figure. It's also one that Russini herself mentioned during a segment on a radio show.
Back in January, an officer pulled Russini over for texting and driving. As he approached her vehicle, she told him why she had her phone in her hands while driving with her children.
"So, you're not going to care," Russini said in the bodycam footage obtained by The Center Square. "I'm an NFL reporter and I just broke that Sean McDermott got fired from the Bills.
"And that I what I was just sending to send (sic), a tweet. I was gonna pull over, because I have to make calls. I know you don't care, but I just wanted you to know my reason why. It was a work thing."
The officer continued to explain how the now-former reporter had been on the phone for an extended amount of time. She then countered by saying that she was on the phone with Brian Daboll, the former coach of the Giants.
She then asked the officer if he was a fan of the Giants or Jets. He responded by saying that he was a fan of the Vikings. At this point, Russini pulled out her phone to show a series of texts between herself and Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Now, the longtime reporter provided her version of the traffic stop. She said that she had Facetimed the officer's favorite coach to get out of the ticket. The bodycam footage proves that to be a false statement.
Ultimately, how she got out of the ticket didn't matter. Russini exited The Athletic amid controversy after publications posted photos showing her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a resort in Arizona. They embraced and spent time together despite being married to other people.
Other outlets then posted more photos of the two in a bar back in 2020. These photos provided a glimpse at the alleged romantic relationship.
