And the pedestal undercut begins.

As common as a field goal in football is the penchant for the media and now the vast array of individuals who think they are journalists spilling words into the internet world that attack individuals who reach the heights of their profession.

Tiger Woods, who was once revered at the top of his game without questions in his personal life, is now an easy target. His recent path has downgraded both his golf game and reputation to hacker status.

In the political arena, we had two congressmen removed from office based on reports of inappropriate sexual activity. Both were once elevated to high stature, and both leave office under a cloud of suspicion. Tony Gonzales was a navy veteran and elected to the 23rd congressional district in Texas. The women he reportedly had an affair with committed suicide, adding tragedy to his suspected indiscretion.

In California, Eric Swalwell was a leading candidate to become the state’s next governor. Then reports from multiple women had him first deny their acquisitions before quickly suspending his campaign for governor and soon after resigning his congressional seat.

Last football season, Mike Vrabel led the New England Patriots from last place to the Super Bowl. His success had him on a pedestal that was ripe for undercutting. Had the Patriots trudged through another season that landed them in last place the spotlight would not have been so bright on the young NFL coach.

But, his success had more eyes on him than otherwise would have paid attention to his having a friendship with a reporter from The Athletic. Photographs of Vrabel seemingly enjoying the company of Dianna Russini were first published in a “Page 6” feature and drew a quick response from The Athletic’s executive editor Steven Ginsberg. His initial response was complete support for his veteran writer … in the days that followed more media and additional photographs were exposed that had him pause his unfiltered support.

Ginsberg was still clearly supporting Russini, but the additional evidence created more concerns and certainly appeared to question her ability to accomplish unbiased reporting of the New England head coach.

To avoid further mud-slinging, and to protect best as possible Vrabel’s complicity in the “scandal”, Russini in a classy letter of resignation took herself out of the role of both covering the Patriots and working for The Athletic.

Good move?

Sure … if you want to quell the hot hunt for additional details on the relationship between writer and coach.

But, while good that way, I think it is sad that a first class reporter who is married just a few years with no apparent missteps in her marriage and is found to be fond of a coach she is covering in her job, who is also married and provides no evidence of breaking his vows, are separated in times that so called journalism is left to police the world.

No defense for the tarnished reputation of Tiger Woods. Gonzales and Swalwell in all likelihood made their own beds that resulted in them leaving their positions in disgrace. But Rubin’s need to leave a job she apparently liked and was good at because she found a friend in the coach she was covering, I suggest tips the scales to a puritan position I think puts targets on the successful and allows their accusers to run free.

Pendulums swing too far the other way when corrected. I recall working in professional sports in the 1970’s, traveling with the Oakland Raiders, and while some road behavior would not stand the test of today’s media, the press covering the team was also not quick to amplify indiscretions best left unreported.

Was it right? Was it a coverup?

I tend to think it was more a consideration, and the sport they covered was the one played out on the field without a need to expose every misstep in every area of a person’s life. We have now created an environment where natural tendencies and innocent friendships need to be curtailed to avoid giving the wrong impression.

As for the Patriots, teams that go from last place to the playoffs consistently have trouble the next year. Two years ago, the Washington Commanders were a playoff team and gained an appearance in the NFC Championship Game following a last place finish in 2023. Then, on cue, they collapsed back to an also-ran last season.

The Patriots were a last place team in 2024, went to the Super Bowl in 2025, and are likely headed into a tough campaign in 2026 … which has already begun for their coach.