FSU star RB Dalvin Cook charged with battery, Jimbo Fisher promises program will do better
By Natalie Pierre Williams July 11, 2015
Florida State leading rusher Dalvin Cook turned himself over to the authorities in Tallahassee, Florida on Friday night after the State Attorney's Office issued a warrant for his arrest.
Cook, 19, faces a misdemeanor battery charge following accusations that he punched a 21-year-old woman in the face multiple times during an argument outside of a Tallahassee bar last month.
FSU suspended Cook on Friday when the claims against the tailback became public.
It marked the second time in less than two weeks that one of Jimbo Fisher's players was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly punching a female in the face.
Former FSU quarterback De'Andre Johnson, 19, was involved in a physical altercation with a 21-year-old female student at a different bar near the FSU campus last month and was dismissed from the football program on Monday, after video of him punching the female in the face went viral.
"Recent events at Florida State University involving members of my football team have brought a lot of attention to the school and program," said Fisher in a university-issued statement on Friday night. "It is important to me that our fans and public be aware that I do not tolerate the type of behavior that was captured on video and that was most recently alleged. We spend a good deal of time educating our student-athletes about appropriate behavior and their responsibilities as representatives of Florida State.
"The majority of our players are exemplary, but clearly we must place an even stronger emphasis on this, and I personally promise we will."
The incident that led to Cook's arrest occurred after 2 a.m. on June 23 – the day before Johnson's physical altercation with a female – outside of a popular Tallahassee bar that had just closed.
Madison Geohegan says she was hit in the face multiple times by Cook after she pushed FSU sophomore wideout Tavis Rudolph during an argument where she felt that he came too close to her, according to the probable cause avadavat which was obtained by AL.com.
"Both parties were yelling and screaming at the other, and Cook began swinging at her," Tallahassee Police Department investigator Jerritt Federico wrote in the affidavit. "She did not know how many times she was struck, but she fell back against a black Jeep parked along the roadway."
Cook was restrained by people nearby, but approached Geohegan again. While being restrained, he managed to strike her one more time in the face before the group of football players walked away, Federico wrote in the affidavit.
An independent witness, who said he was at the bar inquiring about a security job, told police that he saw a black male "being very forward" with Geohegan about taking her home and having *** with her, prior to the argument.
"They kept telling me they were football players," Geohegan, who is listed as "intoxicated" in the incident report, told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach. "They kept telling me to Google them. They told me they were football players and they could buy me in two years."
Geohegan, who is not a FSU student, told police that she plans to press charges.
On July 1, police interviewed Cook, Rudolph and FSU freshman quarterback Deondre Francois, who was also part of the altercation.
Cook said that he did not remember getting into an argument and that he did not hit anyone, while Rudolph said he was not aware of a fight taking place.
Francois said he remembered the argument and Rudolph being hit by one of the women, but that he could not recall any other physical violence involved in the incident.
Police said Geohegan had swelling and a bleeding lip when they arrived at the scene.
"I remain committed to educating our young men and holding them accountable for their actions," Fisher said. "Florida State is a great university. Our fans and supporters deserve better than to hear of actions that are not consistent with the school's proud history and national stature.
"We will do better. I will not tolerate anything less."
FSU President John Thrasher said he plans to meet with the team and has asked Fisher and athletic director Stan Wilcox to develop a plan to help the university's student-athletes understand the consequences of their actions. Thrasher said he will ask State Attorney Willie Meggs to speak with Fisher's football program.
"I am extremely disappointed to learn of this allegation against Dalvin Cook," Thrasher said in a statement on Friday. "I fully support the immediate and indefinite suspension of Cook from the football team while we look into this matter further and due process runs its course. It is especially disheartening to learn of this case just days after Coach Fisher dismissed quarterback De'Andre Johnson from the team for his role in a physical altercation that occurred in an off-campus bar.
"As I have previously said, I have no tolerance for the type of behavior alleged in these cases. We expect all of our students, especially our student-athletes who represent this university in the public spotlight, to adhere to the highest standards."
Cook was named a freshman All-American by multiple outlets in 2014 after leading FSU's rushing attack with 1,008 yards and eight scores on 170 carries (5.9 YPC).
The 6-foot, 203-pound tailback was named the MVP of last year's ACC Championship Game where the Seminoles defeated Georgia Tech, 37-35, to advance to the inaugural College Football Playoff.
The Miami Central High product, who was named Florida's "Mr. Football" in 2013, was a five-star prospect and enters this season atop the Seminoles' depth chart.
"The vast majority of our student-athletes are good students and positive role models who contribute to their university and their communities," Thrasher said. "It is unfortunate that the actions of a very few individuals are causing embarrassment to their teammates and this university.
"Coach Fisher, Athletics Director Wilcox and I are committed to ensuring our student-athletes uphold this university's values, and we will continue to work together toward that goal."
