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Former Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch during a drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Sunday.
(The Associated Press)
Former Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks' only worry Tuesday morning was that a speedy defensive back would snatch his $100,000.
Phillip Gaines came within 5/100ths of a second of pulling it off.
But at the end of 2014 NFL Combine, Cooks stood alone with the fastest timed run in the adizero 5-Star 40 cleat.
Adidas had offered a $100,000 cash prize to the Combine participant who ran the fastest 40-yard dash in the 4.6-ounce cleat at the annual talent-evaluation event, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
On Sunday, when
in Combine drills, Cooks ran a
On Tuesday, Gaines, who played at Rice University, ran a 4.38.
Adidas also offered $10,000 prizes to the player in their position category who ran the fastest 40 while wearing the Adidas cleat. So Gaines gets $10,000. Former Oregon Duck Colt Lyerla won for tight ends with a 4.61.
Adidas, the world's second-largest sports footwear and apparel brand, had to engage in a bit of guerilla marketing through the promotion since Under Armour is the NFL's official Combine brand. Players wore Under Armour tops and shorts in the drills but (while they were given Under Armour cleats) were free to choose whatever cleats they wanted.
Adidas U.S. football management is located in Portland at the company's North American headquarters.
Other positions and the top results: Quarterback, Stephen Morris, Miami (FL), 4.63; Running Back, Henry Josey, Missouri, 4.43; Defensive Lineman/Linebacker, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College, 4.51. The best times overall at those positions can be found at the NFL's website.
-- Allan Brettman