Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill: A Chronological Overview of Incidents
In a shocking turn of events, the highly-anticipated showdown between sprinting icon Noah Lyles and NFL speedster Tyreek Hill was scrapped last Tuesday. The reason for this cancellation? According to Lyles himself, personal issues came up that forced him to withdraw.
However, this sudden turn of events left many questioning the legitimacy of this hypothetical race in the first place. With the track season in full swing and the USATF Outdoor Championships looming in July, Lyles can hardly afford to squander time on non-essential endeavors.
On the other hand, NFL training camps typically start in July, so Hill, a seasoned wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, can hardly spare the time either. Over the weekend, Hill clocked a wind-legal time of 10.15 seconds in the 100 meters at a last chance meet in Sherman Oaks, California – a time that may have seemed competitive had Lyles not already improved upon it in 2022.
So, was this a bona fide race or merely a publicity stunt? Lyles addressed this very question in France during an announcement for the SPORT Beach Program in Cannes, where he stated that nobody truly believed the contest was going to happen.
But where did this potentially lucrative showdown begin? Let's go over the key moments that set the stage for this years-long rivalry.
March 2023: Tyreek Hill storms to victory in a 60-meter masters race in Louisville, Kentucky, sparking speculation that his return to the track after a nine-year hiatus ignited this enduring feud. Hill, a former state champion, had a 200-meter best that still ranks among the top three performances in high school history, further fueling the belief that he could hold his own against Lyles.
September 2023: Following his World Championships victories in the 100 and 200 meters, as well as a third gold in the 4x100, Lyles expressed frustration with the sports world, particularly basketball and football, during his podium speech. This outspoken criticism likely irked Hill.
August 2024: Fresh off his Olympic gold medal win in the 100 meters, Hill issued a challenge to Lyles for a 60-meter race – arguably the most American set-up, given that track and field distances are recorded using the metric system.
August 2024: In response to Hill's dare, Lyles couldn't help but take the bait, forgetting Hill's name entirely in the process. Flippant comments came easily to the self-proclaimed provocateur of track.
February 2, 2025: With a time of 6.52 seconds, Lyles dominated the New Balance Grand Prix and displayed a sign that read, "Tyreek Could Never." This moment could be viewed as the first sign that the race would not take place.
February 15, 2025: With the indoor season winding down, both Lyles and Hill confirmed that the race was on. People Magazine reported that the pair had never actually met in person, while a production company owned by actor Terry Crews, Super Serious, was rumored to be in charge. Lyles revealed that the race, initially slated to take place at 60 meters, would occur before the U.S. Outdoor Championships.
March 28, 2025: During an appearance on 'The Rich Eisen Show,' Grand Slam Track Commissioner Michael Johnson poured cold water on the idea of the Hill-Lyles race, dismissing it as nothing more than a publicity stunt.
June 13, 2025: Hill ran his first race since 2023 at the Last Chance Meet in California, clocking a wind-legal time of 10.15 seconds and placing first in his heat. However, he apparently skipped the final and held up a sign that read, "Noah Could Never."
June 17, 2025: In a surprise turn of events, Lyles announced the cancellation of the race, claiming complications and personal reasons as the cause. Hill responded on Twitter with a Simpsons meme, featuring Lyles' head on a fading Homer Simpson in a bush. In the same day, Lyles revealed that the race, which had been planned to take place in Times Square, New York City, was scheduled to occur that very weekend.
Many questioned the validity of the race, with some doubting its existence from the start. With the race now shelved, fans can only wonder if this feud will ever be settled on the track.
The anticipated matchup between sprinting sensation Noah Lyles and NFL speedster Tyreek Hill in a hypothetical race was scrutinized as sports analysts questioned its authenticity, considering both athletes' commitments to their respective sports – football and track and field. Their potential contest, initially slated for the US Outdoor Championships in July, was filled with show-stopping moments, starting from Hill's 60-meter victory in March 2023, through their friendly banter, and ending in June 2025 with Lyles' sudden cancellation, leaving fans speculating about the true nature of their years-long rivalry.
