The Minnesota Vikings are investigating after star-running back Dalvin Cook was sued by a woman who alleges Cook abused her in a past relationship.
Cook allegedly attacked a former girlfriend, causing a concussion, during an altercation at his home last year, a lawsuit filed Tuesday claimed. Cook’s attorney, Dave Valentini, said his client was assaulted by the woman after she broke into his residence, saying in a statement Tuesday night that she later tried to extort him of millions of dollars.
The woman identified herself as Gracelyn Trimble, a sergeant in the U.S. Army. According to the lawsuit, she flew to Minnesota to break up with Cook and get her belongings from his home when things allegedly turned violent.
She accused Cook of giving her “a concussion, leaving a scar on my face and taking me through hell.” According to the suit, she used mace on him before going into his bedroom, grabbing his gun and calling a friend for help, leading the running back to attack her with a broomstick, she alleges. When she returned to Florida after the altercation, she told medical personnel she had been in an ATV accident after seeking treatment for the injuries.
The Vikings released a statement saying they “recently received notification from Dalvin Cook’s legal representative regarding a situation that occurred between Dalvin and a female acquaintance in November 2020 and led to an ongoing dispute between the parties. 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.”
Valentini, however, said in his statement Tuesday that the woman allegedly used a stolen garage door opener to enter his home illegally and then attacked him and a guest there, using mace on him upon entering and forcing Cook and his guests to remain at the residence at gunpoint for hours.
No criminal charges were filed, and police were not contacted at the time of the altercation.
