Lawyer says FSU's Cook did not strike woman

An attorney for Florida State running back Dalvin Cook says that his client walked away from the scene outside a Tallahassee bar and did not hit a woman, as it has been alleged.

Ricky Patel, a Miami-based attorney, told ESPN that there are conflicting statements, the witnesses were intoxicated and his research suggests that one alleged witness was not actually present at the scene of the crime.

“Dalvin Cook did not strike this woman,” Patel told ESPN. “Players were leaving the scene at the same time. But Dalvin walked away before it got out of hand.”

Patel also addressed the recent revelation that Cook was cited for mistreating animals in 2014: “I’m hoping this doesn’t create a bias,” Patel said. “This is not a Michael Vick situation.”

Cook turned himself in to authorities on misdemeanor battery charges last Friday night.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Cook allegedly struck the woman after she shoved Seminoles receiver Travis Rudolph away when he allegedly got too close to her. Cook was then restrained but managed to make his way toward the woman at least one more time. A witness at the scene could not identify Cook in a photographic lineup, but the alleged victim identified him with “100 percent certainty.”

Patel also claims that the alleged victim “identified Dalvin after being shown social-media pictures of Dalvin and some random people,” adding “it was an extremely unfair ‘lineup.’“

The recent charges against Cook and dismissed quarterback De’Andre Johnson resulted in a visit from university president John Thrasher to discuss the responsibilities that come with playing football for FSU.

“In light of recent off-field incidents, I reiterated to our players that they simply cannot put themselves in situations that reflect poor behavior or cause harm to others,” Thrasher wrote. “They must remember that playing football for FSU is a privilege, not a right. The actions of a few have the capacity to do serious damage to the reputation of our entire university. I told them their coaches, the athletics administration and I will do all we can to support them and help them learn the values we expect them to uphold. But they will be held accountable for their actions.”

Jimbo Fisher released a statement saying he would hold players accountable for their actions, and promising that “we will do better” and has reportedly banned his players from going to bars after the incidents involving Johnson and Cook.

Dalvin Cook ran for 177 yards and was named MVP in the ACC title game last season. (USATSI)

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