A day after a woman accused the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook of assault, battery and false imprisonment in a civil lawsuit, the star running back addressed reporters and publicly maintained his innocence, telling reporters Wednesday that “I’m the victim in this situation.”
Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, got everything started when he relayed that Cook had been the victim of domestic abuse and extortion, only for U.S. Military Sergeant First Class Gracelyn Trimble to file suit alleging she was the victim.
“I just want everybody to know I’m the victim in this situation and the truth and the details about the situation will come out at a further time,” Cook said.
“Like I said, I don’t want to go into further details about it,” Cook said. “I know that the facts of the situation will come out and clear everything up that y’all are trying to get answers to.”
“Just seeing my business out on the social web is not ideal for me,” Cook said. “I try to walk that straight line, but bumps and bruises come through life, and it’s how you handle it. I’ve been through a lot of tough things in my life, and I’ve got my head up high, knowing that the truth will come out. I hate being a distraction to the team, but I know those guys got my back 1,000%. Just going to take this thing day by day, and I know my team’s here for me, and I’m there for them day by day.”
When asked to clarify conflicting reports about a November 2020 altercation at the center of both he and Trimble’s accounts, Cook deferred official comment to his legal team: “I would love to. I would love to go (into) detail about the situation, but I don’t think that would be a good idea for me to sit here and talk about a situation that’s being handled on a different side.”
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Cook added that he only knew of Trimble’s lawsuit when it surfaced on Tuesday.
“I hate being a distraction to the team,” Cook explained Wednesday, “but I know those guys got my back 1,000 percent … I know my team’s here for me, and I’m here for them.”
Cook has had no contact with the NFL, but fully expects to play Sunday against the Chargers.
Asked if he’s worried that NFL discipline could still be on the horizon, Cook was clear: “Nah, I don’t have any concerns.”
