- Noah Lyles, American sprinter and 3-time world champion: “I’m the fastest man in the world, that’s proven on the track. I think that speaks for itself.” On the possibility of racing Tyreek Hill: “I think it would be a great opportunity. It would be fun, but at the end of the day, I’m a professional sprinter, and this is what I do.”
- Tyreek Hill, NFL wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins: “I feel like I’m the fastest player in the NFL, hands down. Nobody can touch me on the field.” On racing against professional sprinters like Noah Lyles: “I love competition. It would be a fun race, but people forget, I’m not just fast; I’m quick, and I think that makes a big difference.”
The much-talked-about possibility of a race between Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and NFL star Tyreek Hill seems unlikely to happen, as Lyles firmly declined to put his Olympic medal on the line. During an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show” on Wednesday, Lyles made it clear that he has no interest in racing Hill for his gold medal, which he recently earned in the men’s 100-meter final at the Paris Olympics.
Twitter Reacts to Tyreek Hill Challenging Noah Lyles to a 50 Yard Race (Tweets-Vids) https://t.co/qsZgd2ywtZ pic.twitter.com/SvU8Ci3mgM
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) August 19, 2024
Lyles questioned Hill’s qualifications for such a high-stakes race, stating, “What has he earned to deserve that status? He plays football, and he’s a great football player, but he doesn’t get to jump the line just because he thinks he’s fast.” Lyles, valuing his Olympic achievement, also dismissed the idea of wagering his medal even if Hill offered his Super Bowl ring in return. “I don’t want a Super Bowl ring,” Lyles said. “I’m very, very content with my Olympic medals.”
The banter between the two athletes began earlier in August when Hill, during an interview on the “Up and Adams” show, expressed confidence that he could beat Lyles in a race. This sparked a series of exchanges, with Hill most recently challenging Lyles to a 50-yard race on social media. Hill posted on X, “Sign the contract and lock in that 50-yard race…,” responding to a video where Lyles critiqued him during an appearance on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast.
Noah Lyles says he’s down to race Tyreek Hill but he’s just chasing clout 👀
Via @ClubShayShay pic.twitter.com/UUYTWzJ91U
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) August 18, 2024
Despite the challenge, Lyles reiterated his disinterest in racing Hill under conditions that use yards as a unit of measurement, maintaining his stance on the matter. Adding to the conversation, Hill’s teammate, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, chimed in, suggesting that several of their teammates could hold their own against Lyles in a race. “I feel like we all could run with him,” Mostert commented, referencing the idea of a 60-yard dash.
Tyreek Hill, who ran track in high school with a personal best of 10.19 seconds in the 100-meter, would face a significant challenge against Lyles, who recently won the event with a photo finish time of 9.79 seconds. The difference in their times highlights the gap between elite track athletes and even the fastest football players.
Noah Lyles And Tyreek Hill’s Beef, Explained: Lyles Says He’ll Race Hill If It’s ‘Legit’https://t.co/rSAwlYfjwP pic.twitter.com/xRhgU3I31R
— Forbes (@Forbes) August 21, 2024
For now, the race between Lyles and Hill remains a hypothetical scenario, with Lyles content in his decision not to risk his Olympic gold for the challenge.
Facts on both men…
- Noah Lyles’ Speed: Noah Lyles is one of the fastest sprinters in the world, with a personal best of 19.31 seconds in the 200 meters, making him the third-fastest man ever in that event. He has also run 100 meters in 9.86 seconds, showcasing his speed over the shorter distance.
- Tyreek Hill’s Speed: Known as “Cheetah” for his incredible speed, Tyreek Hill has been clocked at 23.24 mph during an NFL game, one of the fastest speeds recorded on a football field. Hill also has a track background and has run a 100-meter dash in 10.19 seconds during his high school days.
- Possibility of a Race: There has been ongoing speculation and banter in the media and on social platforms about the possibility of a race between Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill. While both athletes have expressed interest in a friendly competition, no official race has been confirmed. Lyles has even suggested a possible format for the race, emphasizing the need for fair conditions.
- Different Skills and Training: It’s important to note that while both athletes are extremely fast, their training and skillsets differ. Lyles is trained to maintain top speed over a distance with minimal deceleration, crucial for sprint races on the track. Hill, meanwhile, combines his speed with agility, acceleration, and quick bursts, skills vital for football.
- Public and Media Interest: The idea of a race between a professional sprinter like Lyles and an NFL star like Hill has captured public imagination because it crosses the boundaries of sports disciplines. It raises intriguing questions about pure speed versus sport-specific speed and has generated buzz among fans and commentators alike.
Major Points:
- Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles refused to race NFL star Tyreek Hill, stating he won’t risk his Olympic medal for a hypothetical race.
- Lyles also declined Hill’s suggestion of wagering his Super Bowl ring, expressing contentment with his Olympic achievements.
- The potential race became a topic of conversation after Hill expressed confidence in beating Lyles, sparking back-and-forth exchanges between the two.
- Hill recently challenged Lyles to a 50-yard race on social media, but Lyles dismissed the idea of racing with yards as the unit of measurement.
- Hill, who ran track in high school, has a personal best of 10.19 seconds in the 100-meter, while Lyles recently won the event at 9.79 seconds, highlighting the difference in their speed.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News