Chad Johnson offers candid perspective on the Mike Vrabel scandal that isn’t going away anytime soon
The story surrounding Mike Vrabel’s affair with Dianna Russini has left many in the public stunned. For former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad “Ochocino” Johnson, it’s nothing new.
Mike Vrabel‘s exposed affair with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini has sent shockwaves around the media landscape. To some around the league like former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, it’s not that shocking.
In a recent conversation with “Nightcap” co-host Shannon Sharpe and former NBA Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell, Johnson offered a different kind of perspective about the scandal and its publicity.
“We’ve been in a lifestyle so much where we’ve seen so many, so many situations, so many cases,” Johnson said. “Even some that weren’t made public, or we know about it behind closed doors, but we’ve seen situations like this so much, like, so often over the years. It’s like to others, the regular folk was like, ‘Oh my God, look what’s going on.’ But I’m thinking back, to myself, I’m like, It’s normal.”
Chad Johnson isn’t phased by Mike Vrabel’s affair with Dianna Russini
Johnson has found a new career covering the NFL and sports after his 11-year career in which he played 10 seasons in Cincinnati. He’s been out of the league for longer than he was in it.
Situations such as what Vrabel and Russini partook in aren’t always brought to light. Johnson says he’s no longer phased to the similar happenings that don’t become public.
“Like, in that world, like, y’all going crazy and I’m like, to me, I have to reset, and I have to think, like, okay, you know what? They’re not used to this. They’re not used to seeing this. And they use the words, you know, morals and integrity. I’m like, oh my goodness, I just wish you were part of this world for just a year, you know? And I mean, it’s different. And I think it’s hard for people on the outside that aren’t in that life, that don’t live in that world, to where it’s like, I’m almost numb to it, because I see it all the time. All the time.”
It’s a unique perspective from Johnson, though Russini is not a former reporter for no reason, much like Vrabel is finding himself in hot water from the public. The NFL’s hands may be forced if more and more evidence becomes published and investigate the 50-year old for potentially tampering.
A lot can happen now that this supposedly “normal” affair between a head coach and league insider is public knowledge. Johnson, however, won’t be one to judge.