Logo of German shoe company, Adidas. (Photo : Reuters)
During the 2015 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Adidas rewarded three of the fastest players with $100,000 each.
These players belong to different teams, and have all had the fastest 40-yard dash times. Trae Waynes, cornerback for Michigan State finished at 4.31, Phillip Dorsett, wide receiver for Miami had 4.33, and Kevin White, wide receiver for West Virginia, had 4.35 times.
All of them wore Adidas cleats and also signed an endorsement deal with Adidas before the run, which was actually the offer's condition.
Those given the endorsement deal, but did not sign beforehand, were not rewarded by the company. This happened last year to UAB wide receiver JJ Nelson who, despite finishing 4.28 and wearing Adidas cleats, was not offered the cash since he did not sign the deal prior to the event, ESPN reports.
In 2015, the giant shoe company also handed out $100,000 to the fastest player in the 40-yard dash in Adidas cleats. However, when former wide receiver Brandin Cooks of Oregon State got the money after winning, he signed with another big shoe company, Nike. Learning the lesson, Adidas then modified the deal.
The original prize was a Porsche 911 Carrera each to be given away to the fastest players, but was called back because it conflicted with NFL's General Motors sponsorship, according to SB Nation.
Adidas also contracted Dorial Green-Beckham, wide receiver for Oklahoma, Brett Hundley, UCLA quarterback, Ameer Abdullah, running back for Nebraska, Tyler Lockett, wide receiver for Kansas State, and Tevin Coleman, running back for Indiana.
