NASCAR TV personality Danielle Trotta has issued a powerful statement as the storm around NFL insider Dianna Russini continues to make national headlines.

Earlier this week Russini - a leading journalist at the New York Times-owned subscription platform The Athletic - became a major story herself when photographs published by the New York Post appeared to show her hugging and holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

The pictures caused a national media storm, but it should be pointed out that both Vrabel and Russini have subsequently issued statements to the Post claiming that the images - taken at a high-end resort in Arizona - are misleading.

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Vrabel and Russini - images are misleading

Vrabel said: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

Russini meanwhile claimed: “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

As the story continues to provoke opinion and debate, Trotta took to social media on Thursday to issue a powerful statement - while not specifically naming Vrabel or Russini.

Danielle Trotta issues powerful statement

Writing on social media platform X, Trotta said to her 98.3k followers: “FWIW ladies in journalism and to the future girls who aspire to be us: You don’t have to sleep w athletes or coaches to get a story. You don’t have to hold hands and flirt poolside in a bikini. You simply have to show up prepared, ask smart questions, be consistent and do your job well. That also means doing it with integrity.

“To the ones that aren’t thanks for setting us women back 100 years. How about some female journalistic integrity ?! Because one of us represents all of us. #BeBetter”

Trotta wears multiple hats in her job, acting as a TV host for Amazon Prime’s coverage of NASCAR and as a pit reporter for TNT’s NASCAR output. As well as those roles, she hosts on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio weekdays.

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