Dalvin Cook, Ex-Girlfriend Filing Suits Against Each Other over 2020 Altercation

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook and his former girlfriend, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gracelyn Trimble, are filing lawsuits against each other stemming from an altercation at his home in November 2020.

Cook's agent, Zac Hiller, said his client is the victim of domestic abuse and extortion and that litigation is pending regarding the allegations, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk spoke with Hiller, who detailed the allegations from Cook's end. Florio wrote the following:

"Roughly a year ago, someone unlawfully entered Cook's house. The female who did it, is a sergeant in the U.S. military, attacked Cook in his home while he had a guest present. The invader then allegedly tried to extort Cook for millions of dollars, claiming that she suffered injuries during the course of the attack that she allegedly initiated."

"Because she allegedly entered Cook's house illegally, he had the right to defend himself, as authorized by Minnesota's version of the Castle Doctrine. Litigation, per Hiller, has not yet been commenced, but it's in the process of being initiated. No criminal complaints have been filed in connection with the incident."

Per Schefter, Hiller said Trimble allegedly used a stolen garage door opener to enter the home before attacking Cook and a guest.

"Military sergeant maced Cook directly in his eyes immediately upon illegally entering," Hiller told Schefter.

Trimble spoke with Rochelle Olson and Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune and provided her account of what happened, saying Cook gave her a concussion, left a scar on her face and took her "through hell."

In a lawsuit filed with Dakota County District Court, Trimble says Cook physically abused her and held her hostage at his home in Inver Grove Heights south of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Per Olson and Goessling, Trimble wants unspecified monetary damages and "accountability." Trimble and her lawyer, Daniel Cragg, spoke with Cook and his attorney, David Valentini, about a potential settlement before the lawsuit was filed. The two sides did not come to an agreement, and Cook received the lawsuit Tuesday.

Valentini released a statement regarding the allegations:

Trimble's account of the events is as follows and starts with her entering Cook's home through the garage and grabbing mace she stored there, per Olson and Goessling:

"Trimble claims in the filing that Cook got angry when she asked 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.'"

"She attempted to spray the mace at Cook, but he overpowered her and the mace went into her eyes, the lawsuit said. She went to shower when she was allegedly assaulted again."

"Then 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."

The lawsuit includes an alleged text Cook sent to Trimble, stating: "I know what I did can't be rewind. ... If you wanna go to the police I'll respect that I'll take my punishment for what I did!"

Olson tweeted images of the reported text conversation between Cook and Trimble (warning: tweet contains images of Trimble's injuries from the alleged abuse).

The Vikings released a statement earlier Tuesday as well:

Cook was previously charged with misdemeanor battery after he was accused of hitting a 21-year-old woman in 2015 outside a bar in Tallahassee, Florida, while he played for Florida State. He was found not guilty in the jury trial.

The 26-year-old has played all five of his NFL seasons for the Vikings, who selected him with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

Cook leads all Viking players with 106.5 scrimmage yards per game this season. He has 639 total yards and a pair of touchdowns.