NFL Combine's fastest athlete doesn't get $100K from adidas

Scott Rafferty

NFL Combine's fastest athlete doesn't get $100K from adidas image

The fastest man at the NFL Combine has been duped.

J.J. Nelson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds, besting Trae Waynes, Kevin White and Philip Dorsett, who took home a $100,000 reward from adidas. The former UAB receiver, however, didn't receive a glossy check from the company. That raises a number of questions.

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Nelson sported adidas shoes, one of the caveats to be in the running for the reward. However, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell, he hadn't signed an endorsement deal before taking part in the dash and was thus eliminated from the competition.

While he knew that heading into the event, Nelson claims he didn't even get an opportunity to sign a shoe deal.

When Nelson went to the player suite where he had a choice to run in the latest models form Nike, Under Armour and adidas, he said he chose adidas not only because the shoes were comfortable but because he was aware of the $100,000 prize.

An adidas news release said that the offer was "open to the athletes who sign with adidas prior to running their official 40 yard dashes later this month," but Nelson said he wasn't ever given a chance to sign with the brand.

"I signed some waiver at some point, but I was never given a chance to sign an endorsement deal," Nelson said.

Adidas changed the rules after Brandin Cooks, drafted by the Saints in 2014, won the prize and bolted to Nike shortly after.

Even so, with Nelson being projected as a late round pick, this all smells too fishy.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.