Cop Allows NFL Reporter Dianna Russini to Name-Drop Her Way Out of Ticket
Police said the officer issued a verbal warning after Russini showed texts with a Vikings coach and was observed texting for a while.
- On January 19, 2026, a Ridgewood police officer stopped NFL reporter Dianna Russini on Godwin Avenue for using a handheld cell phone while driving, issuing a verbal warning after checking her driving history.
- During the stop, Russini mentioned Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll to explain her phone use, while the officer asked her to keep him updated on the Vikings' quarterback situation.
- Although Russini previously claimed she allowed the officer to FaceTime an NFL head coach, the bodycam footage shows no such call occurred, contradicting her earlier account.
- Ridgewood Police Department officials stated the officer "exercised his professional discretion and issued a verbal warning," which Captain Glenn Ender wrote was "consistent with Ridgewood Police Department policy and longstanding practice."
- Critics questioned whether the officer was influenced by the familiar NFL names, while the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller has previously voiced concerns about officers providing preferential treatment to motorists during traffic stops.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Local Police Chief Issues Statement About Officer Not Giving Dianna Russini A Ticket After Bodycam Footage Surfaces
dianna russini on the red carpet Last week, bodycam video of a Ridgewood, New Jersey, police officer pulling over embattled NFL reporter Dianni Russini surfaced. In it, Russini tells the officer that she’s an NFL reporter and name-drops several coaches across the league. He ended up letting her off with a warning. On Monday, Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Ross Lyons released a statement explaining the officer’s decision to not give Dianna Russini…
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Dothan EagleDianna Russini narrative debunked after police body cam footage released
Body camera footage from a January police stop shows former NFL reporter Dianna Russini getting pulled over and is debunking a narrative she FaceTimed an NFL coach to get out of a traffic ticket.
Body Cam Footage Shows Embattled NFL Insider Dianna Russini Name-Dropping During Traffic Stop
Screenshot Body cam footage released Monday showed embattled NFL insider Dianna Russini seemingly flexing her connections during a traffic stop. Last week, The New York Times published a story examining Russini’s career and the controversy that derailed it. In April, a series of photos surfaced that revealed Russini spent extensive time with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. The two were spotted at a luxury resort in Arizona, sparking rumo…
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