We now have more information and a more complete picture about a lawsuit involving Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.
Cook’s attorneys on Tuesday claimed he was the victim of domestic abuse and extortion from a woman who unlawfully entered his home in 2020. The news of Cook’s situation seemingly came out of nowhere and contained very little context.
However, we later learned what was going on: a lawsuit had been filed that day by Cook’s ex-girlfriend, Gracelyn Trimble. Trimble filed her lawsuit after the two sides were unable to reach a settlement.
In her lawsuit, Trimble shared her side of an altercation that took place on Nov. 19, 2020 at Cook’s home.
There is no dispute that an altercation occurred, but both sides give vastly differing accounts of what took place. Trimble claims she was beaten up by Cook, thrown into a coffee table and beaten with a broomstick. He claims she entered the home without permission, maced him and his friends, and held them at gunpoint.
Trimble gave more details about her side of the story in her lawsuit.
Trimble, 29, is a sergeant in the U.S. Army and currently stationed in Italy. According to the Star Tribune, Trimble’s lawsuit alleges that Cook gave her a concussion and left a scar on her face during their Nov. 19, 2020 incident.
According to the report, Trimble claimed she flew to Minnesota to break up with Cook for good. She claims she entered his home through his garage and grabbed some mace that she stored in the garage. Trimble claims Cook got angry when she asked him for his help in gathering her things.
Cook “grabbed her arm, and slung her whole body over the couch, slamming her face into the coffee table and causing her lower forehead and the bridge of her nose to bust open,” the suit alleges.
Trimble claims she used the mace in self-defense, while Cook seems to claim that Trimble used the mace offensively.
“Trimble went into the bedroom, grabbed Cook’s gun and called her friend, according to the lawsuit. Cook overheard her and threatened her, and beat her with a broomstick, the suit claims,” according to the Star Tribune.
Neither Cook nor Trimble went to the police about the matter. Cook allegedly sent Trimble a text message saying he would take punishment for what he did if she chose to report the incident.
Cook’s attorney, David Valentini, responded to the lawsuit in a statement. Valentini claims Trimble entered Cook’s home with a stolen garage opener, maced the running back and two of his guests, and assaulted him.
Statement from Dalvin Cook attorney, David Valentini, in response to a civil lawsuit filed today by a woman alleging that Cook assaulted her in 2020: pic.twitter.com/d1cOsV3tT7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2021
Cook accuses Trimble of being “emotionally abusive” and “physically aggressive.” Cook claims Trimble damaged his car twice and attempted to prevent him from seeing other women.
Cook’s attorney portrays Trimble as the aggressor and Cook acting in self-defense. The matter has gone public due to the inability of the sides to settle the matter out of court.
Cook and Trimble continued to date despite the November incident but broke up for good in May. Trimble included text messages and photos in her lawsuit as evidence.
Cook was drafted by the Vikings in 2017. The 26-year-old running back has made the Pro Bowl the last two seasons.
Photo: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week One game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. The Bengals led 14-7 at halftime. Minnesota Vikings At Cincinnati Bengals. Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC
