If you are looking for the NFL reporter who has the most headline-worthy stories this week, look no further than Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Russini had the story about how the Carolina Panthers team culture resembles The Hunger Games written with Joseph Person and the one where Zach Wilson was reportedly reluctant to play for the New York Jets again as their quarterback written with Zack Rosenblatt and Jeff Howe.
Russini was a guest on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on Friday and she said that despite some of the backlash she might get from fans from the teams she reports on, she hopes the credibility she has built up with past stories will allow people to trust she is reporting the truth.
“When you have been doing this a long time and become a credible person covering the league, you hope that because of all the past stories you’ve done, you’ve built this trust with the audience and with the fans. What I realized over the last few days is it’s not that they don’t believe the report is accurate. They know the report is accurate, the story is just unbelievable.”
During this week, Dianna Russini mentioned that she has heard from Jets fans when she drops her kids off at daycare and hasn’t heard many great things. At the same time, even though some try to discredit her reports, she is not trying to pile on people’s misfortunes, but instead report the facts.
“Unfortunately, it’s just my job to uncover the story and uncover the news. When the number two pick doesn’t want to play or is hesitant or reluctant, whatever word the Jets are comfortable with the world knowing about at this point, that’s a story to me. I feel bad for Zach. I’m not this cold, mean witch that wants to piss on the Jets organization, but this is a story.”
“People just want to blame someone and I understand it,” Russini continued. “At the end of the day, if I was a fan and there were reporters covering a team and being able to share everything that’s happening and giving you the truth, I would appreciate it.”
“The best part about reporting the truth is you are actually indifferent about it. I’m working on two other stories now. I’ve moved past it because I stand by my reporting on it.”
Since joining The Athletic three months ago, Dianna Russini said it has been the hardest thing in her career, but she is enjoying the reward of the hard work that she is putting into her writing.
“The Athletic has been tremendous. No one told me it would be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Writing is really challenging, but really rewarding as well. I’m really happy. I love what I’m doing now. It took me 40 years to be able to really feel that and say that and express it. It’s really been a great three months already at The Athletic.”
