Minnesota Vikings player still not paid from 40 Yards of Gold event
By Adam Carlson
While the results of the 40 Yards of Gold event are in the books, the checks written to the competitors, including two Minnesota Vikings, are worthless.
On paper, the 40 Yards of Gold event sounds like a fun activity for players during the offseason. Hosting a race featuring some of the most notable speedsters from teams around the NFL (including the Minnesota Vikings) as they compete for prizes in front of a crowd at the stadium or watching at home sounds very appealing.
What isn’t fun is when the event doesn’t follow through on their promises. According to the Pioneer Press, Vikings wide receiver Jeff Badet is carrying a check around in his wallet that he may never be able to cash.
Badet has seemingly given up hope that his earnings from the event will ever be available, which is understandable since the participants were initially told the checks would be able to be deposited on July 5.
Still, Badet seems to be holding on to the check in case it is ever able to be cashed…just in case.
"“I’m keeping it just in case. … I just heard a bank was saying there were zero dollars in an account that they wrote it to, so it’s just one big scam. I’m calling it one big scam.’’"
At this time, it is unknown if other current and former Vikings players including Trae Waynes, Jalen Myrick, and Terrell Sinkfield are in the same position. Considering all the commotion from the event, it wouldn’t be shocking to learn that was the case.
Hopefully, one day the participants of 40 Yards of Gold are able to be paid for their participation in the event, but until then there are four former and current Minnesota Vikings players who will likely have a worthless check in their wallet.