A former girlfriend of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is accusing him of abusing her in November 2020, leading to a concussion, and holding her hostage.
The allegations were made public Tuesday in a civil lawsuit filed in Dakota County (Minn.) District Court, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported. Her court filing accuses him of assault, battery and false imprisonment.
The newspaper identified the woman as a 29-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Gracelyn Trimble.
Cook’s attorney Dave Valentini, however, issued a statement Tuesday night that said Cook was the victim. Valentini said the woman illegally entered Cook’s home, assaulted him and two houseguests, and then tried to extort millions of dollars.
In his statement, Valentini said Cook, 26, and the woman were in a short-term relationship, during which “she became emotionally abusive, physically aggressive and confrontational, and repeatedly attempted to provoke Mr. Cook.”
In a statement of their own, the Vikings said they were notified by Cook’s attorneys recently that the running back and the woman were in an “ongoing dispute.”
“Upon learning of this, we immediately notified the NFL. We are in the process of gathering more information and will withhold further comment at this time,” the statement said.
League officials declined comment.
According to the Star Tribune, Trimble said she entered the home planning to break up with him, and she was carrying Mace with her. The lawsuit contends that Cook became angry, grabbed her arm and threw her over the couch, with her head hitting the coffee table, causing facing injuries. She also wound up getting the Mace in her eyes, she said.
Eventually, per the lawsuit, she went into the bedroom, got Cook’s gun and made a phone call, at which point Cook beat her with a broomstick, the Star Tribune reported, citing the lawsuit.
Valentini offered up a different version. He said the woman punched Cook and sprayed Mace on him, then held him hostage with the gun. Valentini said the woman wound up on the ground when Cook to keep her from attacking a guest.
Valentini’s statement said the facts of the case will show that any injuries she sustained in the incident were due to her “unlawful conduct.”
No police report was filed in the case.
The Vikings selected Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida State. The two-time Pro Bowl player has been slowed by an ankle injury this season, appearing in just six games. He has run for 554 yards and two touchdowns on 115 carries.
Last season, he had a stellar year for the Vikings. In 14 games, he gained 1,557 yards and ran for 16 touchdowns. He added 361 yards and one score on 44 receptions.
The Vikings (3-5) will travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) on Sunday.
–Field Level Media
