Vikings running back denies allegations of assault in new lawsuit

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has denied allegations in a new civil lawsuit of assault from a former girlfriend. 

In a lawsuit filed in the Dakota County District Court on Tuesday, U.S. Army Sgt. Gracelyn Trimble accused Cook of assault, battery and false imprisonment.

Trimble said in the lawsuit that she flew to Minnesota in November 2020 to break up with the star running back and retrieve her belongings when things escalated for the worst.

Trimble accused Cook of giving her “a concussion, leaving a scar on my face and taking me through hell,” adding that she had to use Mace on him before going to his bedroom, grabbing Cook’s gun and calling a friend for help, according to the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

Trimble alleges in her lawsuit that Cook overheard Trimble’s pleas for help and threatened her, and that he used a broomstick to beat her. 

When Trimble returned to Florida, she told medical officials that she was in an ATV accident while seeking treatment for the injuries, the Star-Tribune reported. 

Cook said he was assaulted by Trimble.

Cook’s attorney Dave Valentini said that his client and two other houseguests were assaulted by Trimble after she broke into Cook’s residence, adding she tried to extort him for millions of dollars. 

“While Mr. Cook and Sgt. Trimble had a short-term relationship over several months, she became emotionally abusive, physically aggressive and confrontational, and repeatedly attempted to provoke Mr. Cook,” Valentini said in a statement. 

In a statement to ESPN, the Vikings said they have received notification from Cook’s attorney about his current legal situation, adding the club has notified the NFL about it as well. 

“We are in the process of gathering more information and will withhold further comment at this time,” the Vikings told the sports media outlet. 

Cook, 26, was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the  2017 NFL Draft, ESPN noted.

“The matter will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told The Hill in a statement. “We will continue to monitor developments but there’s no change to his status as this is a civil complaint.”

–Updated at 3:54 p.m.