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Kenyon Sadiq’s secret weapon leading him to a first round selection

The first round draft pick for the Jets wore VKTRY insoles, aiding him to the fastest 40 in decades

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Adult, Male, Man
Michael Conroy / AP Photo

When I was a kid, I looked up to athletes on TV and set my goals based on what they could do. That meant I needed to throw a ball from the corner of the outfield on a frozen rope to the plate for an out at home like Ichiro. I needed to be able to jump from the free-throw line to dunk a basketball like Michael Jordan. And I needed to be able to run a 40-yard dash in 4 seconds like Bo Jackson. Now, since I am sitting on the couch writing this article, you can probably bet on whether I was able to make any of these happen. But some people do, and at the NFL combine, we saw some of the best players in college football work out before teams to prepare for the NFL Draft. Many people made a good showing, but Kenyon Sadiq recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds—the fastest of the combine by a tight end since 2006, when Vernon Davis did .01 seconds slower. There was also a secret weapon he used during the combine: VKTRY insoles. I got a chance to sit down with Kenyon to hear what he thought.

I don’t have the exact numbers, but I could feel another couple of inches on my vertical jump – Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets Tight End

The Science

Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware
VKTRY

I am about as good at science as I am at dunking a basketball from the free-throw line. That said, Kenyon talked me through how it felt: he felt different; he could jump higher and change direction quicker. I needed to dive in and see how it works. Spoiler alert: If you have seen Black Panther, you have a good idea how it works. These insoles absorb energy and then redirect it to explode outward when needed. That doesn’t mean you will be able to jump like the King of Wakanda, but here is the quick and dirty. There are three layers, including a carbon fiber base plate, and they serve to provide these four steps:

  1. Shock absorption – At heel strike, the carbon fiber baseplate is designed to help absorb impact, which can support a more controlled landing and help set up your next step. So, like the Wakandan suit taking a hit.
  2. Support and Stability – At midstance, VKs are designed to help provide support and stability underfoot, which may assist with alignment and control during quick cuts, directional changes, and high-intensity movement. Keeping Black Panther on his feet.
  3. Energy storage – As you prepare for push-off, the carbon fiber baseplate flexes—storing the energy you put in to prepare for takeoff.
  4. Energy return – Like a spring, the carbon fiber baseplate returns to its natural shape at push-off—releasing stored energy that can help support explosive movement forward or upward. We all saw this part of Black Panther, right???

The impact

Clothing, Footwear, Shoe
VKTRY

Obviously, Kenyon felt the difference. He came in second place in the broad jump at 11’1″ and the vertical leap at 43.5 inches. That is in addition to beating every tight-end in recorded history with his 4.39 40-yard dash. All of which led him to land a job as a tight end with the New York Jets. But he wasn’t the only guy rocking the VKs. He told me that they were a part of his package, a lot of the players got when getting ready to compete. And the guys wearing them showed out with some pretty incredible performances.

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Here are some other amazing feats accomplished by athletes at the combine utilizing VKTRY insoles:

  • Fastest 40-yard dash (4.26)
  • Fastest TE 40-yard dash (4.39) in Combine history
  • Highest LB vertical (43.5”) in Combine history
  • Highest QB vertical (43.5”) in Combine history
  • Longest QB broad jump (11’2”) in Combine history

I am not saying these insoles made these guys even more impressive. But I am not NOT saying that.

Mark D McKee
Mark D McKee
Editor
Mark cut his teeth in the men's style world when he sold suits first at box stores such as Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank…
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