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- Mar 19, 2019
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Vikings teammates 'looking after' younger brothers playing collegiately
While cross-country travel to visit family hasn't been an option for the Vikings this season due to COVID-19 testing and restrictions, players are keeping close tabs on younger brothers currently playing at the college level.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press wrote about Cook's brother James, a junior Georgia, along with the brothers of Vikings rookies Troy Dye and D.J. Wonnum. Travis Dye is a running back at Oregon, and Dylan Wonnum is a tackle at South Carolina. Dye and Wonnum also are juniors.
Tomasson spoke with Dalvin and James' mother, Varondria Burnett, who said the brothers' relationship is "awesome."
Dalvin is the role model that James needs," said Burnett. "He can see, 'This is the route that I need to go because my brother is taking this route, and he's doing what he's supposed to do,' and that gives him the motivation to keep going."
Tomasson wrote:
A multi-purpose back, James is third in rushing for the 10th-ranked Bulldogs with 163 yards and fourth in receiving with 15 catches for 188 yards in seven games. He had an 82-yard touchdown reception earlier this season against Alabama.
"It just feels good to have an older brother that is out there and doing good in the league, [who] I can get advice from," James told Tomasson. "We play the same position, and it's just a great experience working out with him during the offseason and doing drills and stuff. It's just great having him as a brother."
Dalvin always talks with his brother after his games. When James doesn't get a lot of touches, he consoles him. But he points out all the other things he can do to help on offense, such as with blocking.
When the two are at home in the Miami area, they compete regularly in athletic events. They battle each other on the basketball court and race each other at the spur of the moment.
Dalvin, who starred at Florida State before being taken by the Vikings in the second round of the 2017 draft, agreed that his brother wins more of the races. But he wasn't about to concede much else.
"He's probably faster than me, to be honest," Dalvin told Twin Cities media members earlier this week. "He's built a little different. His legs have more definition than me. He's actually bigger than me so it's different but you have to measure the heart. I think he has it but mine's a little bigger. I'm the bigger brother, don't forget that."
To read Tomasson's feature in its entirety, click here.