Tyreek Hill isn’t one to walk away from a challenge, especially when it’s personal as the Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver continues to call out and goad Noah Lyles into a race – confident he can beat the 100m Olympic gold medallist. However, did it all just fall apart?
Nicknamed ‘Cheetah’, the NFL star has never hidden his elite speed, and earlier this year, he brought that competitive fire directly to the track and field athlete, who delivered Team USA golden glory in Paris in 2024.
But after months of social media exchanges, taunts, and public hype, the highly anticipated race between the two athletes was suddenly called off as Lyles withdrew, citing “personal reasons,” and the announcement left fans disappointed.
Hill, however, wasn’t just disappointed he was clearly frustrated. And in classic Tyreek fashion, he didn’t stay silent for long as he claimed the sprinter was ducking him and running away from a challenge.
“@LylesNoah after seeing me run the 100m last weekend,” Hill posted online, accompanied by a reference to his recent track performance. It was an unmistakable jab meant to question whether Lyles had second thoughts.
Despite being more than a decade removed from competitive sprinting, Hill recently recorded an impressive 10.15-second 100-meter dash at the Last Chance Sprint Series-his first official race in over 13 years.
The result was more than respectable, especially considering Tyreek’s primary occupation as a football player, although not particularly competitive with elite sprinters.
“I’ve been training for three months. I’m hoping that it all pays off,” Hill said before the race. Although focused on racing Lyles, it doubled as a scary message to defenders in the NFL.
Lyles’ decision to withdraw has cast doubt on whether the race will ever happen. With no specific details behind the “personal reasons,” fans are left speculating. Was it a scheduling conflict, a health concern, or perhaps hesitation after witnessing Hill’s competitive form?
The bizarre rivalry between Hill and Lyles: How did it start?
Whatever the case, Hill’s reaction suggests the rivalry is far from over. The door may be closed on this particular matchup for now, but as long as both athletes remain in the spotlight, the anticipation of a future faceoff won’t completely disappear.
It’s a bizarre situation that emerged as a playful exchange in 2024 before it quickly escalated when Lyles stirred the pot when he wore a race bib reading “Tyreek Could Never” after winning the 60-meter indoor title.
That statement ignited the feud further and all but guaranteed a public showdown as Hill accepted the implied challenge, confident in his ability from the football field.
Hill’s combination of raw athleticism and short-distance acceleration has made him one of the most dynamic players in the NFL. At 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, he routinely outruns elite defenders.
On paper it makes the idea of racing Lyles less laughable than it sounds, although he does have a way to go to reach Olympian speed – a journey that could be too much at the age of 31.
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