Sounds Like the '40 Yards of Gold' Contestants Are Getting Totally Stiffed

A 40-yard dash for cash recently highlighted these dog days of the NFL offseason, allowing 16 pro football players to compete in a single-elimination tournament with the promise of a $1 million cash prize for first place and smaller prizes for runners-up. One week has passed after the big event, however, and there's still no sign of the money with little explanation except for that "it's coming." Something isn't quite right here.

"40 Yards of Gold" took place on June 29 and was well received, with a live crowd of a few thousand spectators and a pay-per-view offering. It was ultimately won by the 49ers' Marquise Goodwin, and everything seemed great until it was time to hand out the players' payments.

When the event had finished, participants were given their reward money via check, but were reportedly told not to cash them until Friday. According to Ft. Lauderdale lawyer Sean Lindsay, who is representing one participant, a week's wait for prize money isn't necessarily suspicious.

What is suspicious is the fact that event organizers told the contenders to scrap the checks and provide bank information for wire transfers instead, then the athletes still not receiving their earnings.

According to NFL agent Will Sarubbi, who represents Vikings wide receiver Jeff Badet, it doesn't seem likely that the necessary payments will be made based on the communication they have had with the organizers. Neither Lindsay or Sarubbi know for sure if their client's money is actually out there.

Sounds like 16 pro football players got stiffed.

Event co-founders Alijah Bradley and Charles Stewart still claim that every athlete will be paid. It's simply a matter of when.