Chris Johnson surprised 40 record still stands, hopes it stays unbroken

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016

As the 2016 NFL draft class gets ready to run the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine this week, Chris Johnson's record time of 4.24 seconds still stands after eight years, much to the surprise of the running back.

Johnson set his record in 2008. The closest any player has come to breaking it was in 2014, when Dri Archer ran a 4.26.

In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday, Johnson was asked about still holding the record. He said he follows the combine each year to "see if somebody has a chance to actually beat it."

The running back, who played for the Arizona Cardinals last season, also talked about his future on the field, saying he hopes to return to Arizona.

When he ran the 40 in 2008, Johnson said he was "aiming to run a 4.25," so when he beat that mark he was happy, "but I didn't know that it would be to this extent or that it would be a record this long, going ... on eight years."

"I didn't think it would hold on this long," he said, adding that because it still stands it has made him realize just how fast a time he ran that day.

Adidas has offered $1 million to any prospect who is able to break Johnson's record -- as long as they wear the company's shoes.

Johnson said Tuesday, "I wish they had that when I was coming out."

He said he hopes his record is never broken, but if it does fall, he'll be gracious to the person who beats the mark.

"To be honest, I don't want to see the record go. But if somebody does break it ... I'll be happy for them and give them a handshake and congratulate them," he said. "They'll be more proud of getting the million dollars than getting a hand shake, you know it is what is."

Johnson was asked what advice he has to run a 4.24. His advice was simple: "Run fast."