The rivalry between Olympic champion Noah Lyles and NFL star Tyreek Hill has escalated this week, following new comments from Lyles. Having recently secured a gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the Paris Olympics, Lyles has taken on Hill’s challenge, saying any races he runs would have to meet professional standards.
Lyles expressed his openness to a race, as long as it meets certain criteria. “If there’s a sponsor for the event, if we’re running for a substantial prize pool, on a professional track, in the 100 meters, then I’m all in,” Lyles said in a Wednesday interview with NBC News.
He stressed the need for authenticity in the competition. “This isn’t about acrobatics. You’re up against someone who has dedicated his life to becoming the fastest man in the world. Being great at football doesn’t automatically qualify you to jump out on the track,” Lyles added.
Tension between the two athletes began after Hill responded negatively to Lyles’s criticism of American sports leagues labeling their stars as “world champions.” The dispute gained more attention after Hill’s comments on a podcast questioning Lyles’s integrity after a bronze-medal performance and a bout with COVID-19.
Hill has spoken openly about his abilities, suggesting he could outrun Lyles in the 50-yard dash. “I would outrun Noah Lyles, not by much, but I would win,” Hill said.
However, Lyles insisted that any challenge would have to be in his own domain, the 100 meters. “I’m not interested in trivial challenges. If you’re serious about challenging the fastest man, you have to do it on my terms, in my event,” he told NBC News.
Lyles also mentioned NFL wide receiver DK Metcalf, who attempted to bridge the gap between football and track speed by competing in a 100-meter dash. Lyles praised Metcalf for his genuine effort in competing in track, contrasting him with others who might not be as serious.
Metcalf competed at the 2021 USATF Golden Games, clocking 10.36 seconds in the 100 meters, which was faster than the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 10.05 seconds.
This ongoing dialogue between Lyles and Hill highlights not only a clash of athletic skill, but also the different cultures surrounding athletics and professional football.
