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John Ross III breaks NFL combine sprint record

JOHN ROSS III blitzed the field at the NFL combine to break an astonishing record — but missed out on winning his own island.

Aaron Torres and FOX SPORTS
2 min read
March 5, 2017 - 12:59PM
John Ross III shows off his Nike Vapor 4.2
John Ross III shows off his Nike Vapor 4.2

MOVE aside Chris Johnson, we have history at the NFL Combine.

Washington wide receiver John Ross ran an unofficial 4.22 40-yard (36m) dash, breaking Johnson’s record of 4.24 which he ran in 2008.

The crazy part is that on the NFL Network broadcast, Ross told broadcaster Michael Irvin that he cramped up at the beginning of the run.

“That alone stunned commentators, given there’s potential he could have gone even faster. 4.22 and he limped. He limping. He just ran through an injury,” Irvin said.

Of course while the record is impressive, it leads to another interesting question: Earlier this week, Adidas offered to buy an island — yes, a literal island — to any player who broke the Combine record. However, the one catch to the deal was that they had to be wearing Adidas shoes.

Unfortunately for Ross, he was wearing Nikes. Meaning that if he wants to visit any island, it will have to be on his own dime like the rest of us.

Ross wasn’t too fussed on missing out on his own Island paradise telling NBC sports it wouldn't have been too much use to him anyway.

“Well I can’t swim that well,” Ross said. “And I don’t have a boat.”

Ross recently penned a deal with Nike, opting to sport the new Vapor 2.4 cleats at the Combine, despite the tempting offer from Adidas to win your own island.

Nike is using the combine to launch the new footwear and the brand wasted little time cashing in on the news its man Ross is the fastest man in NFL history.

Nike says the shoe has serious science behind it that assisted Ross in his need for speed.

During the launch of the new style cleat, Nike revealed the Vapor 2.4 incorporates a full-length carbon plate for propulsion.

Still, even without an island, it’s safe to say Ross has had a weekend to remember in Indianapolis.

Ross spoke to the NFL network after his record breaking run and said he’d love to have a dream match-up against NFL legend, and noted speed machine Deoin Sanders.

“It would have to be Deoin. I mean, he ran out the building,” Ross said.

Several NFL legends, including former record holder Johnson himself took to social media to hail the new speed king of the combine.

Thanks to the speed of Ross the running backs stole the show at the combine and there’s an entire class of NFL prospects ready to cash in.

Originally published as John Ross III breaks NFL combine sprint record

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