Noah Lyles vs. Tyreek Hill: The Fastest Man Debate Heats Up

via flowtrack.com

The ongoing rivalry between Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and NFL speedster Tyreek Hill has taken yet another turn, with Lyles making a bold statement after his dominant victory in the 60-meter race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

But this wasn’t just any victory—it came with a message. Quite literally.

Lyles, in his first major event since the 2024 Paris Olympics, didn’t just remind the world why he’s the fastest sprinter on the planet. He also took direct aim at Hill, taping a handwritten note to his back that read:

"Tyreek could never."

With those three words, the rivalry between track’s best and football’s fastest escalated to new levels. But where did this back-and-forth start? And more importantly—who would actually win in a head-to-head race?

How the Noah Lyles vs. Tyreek Hill Feud Started

The debate over "fastest man alive" is as old as track itself. But in this case, it really kicked off in August 2023, when Hill appeared on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams and casually declared that he would beat Noah Lyles in a race.

Hill, one of the NFL’s most electrifying wide receivers and known for his blazing speed on the field, didn’t claim he’d destroy Lyles. But he confidently told host Kay Adams:

"I’m not going to beat him by a lot, but I would beat Noah Lyles."

Naturally, that didn’t sit well with Lyles.

Shortly after, Lyles appeared on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco’s podcast, Nightcap, where he called Hill out for "chasing clout."

"Tyreek is just chasing clout," Lyles said. "Anytime somebody fast comes up, he says he wants to race them. If he really wanted to race people, he would’ve showed up, like DK Metcalf."

Lyles also claimed that Hill was dodging competition, pointing out that while Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf actually raced in a legitimate track meet, Hill had not.

"The man dodges smoke," Lyles added. "If he’s truly serious about it, he’ll see me on the track."

And just like that, a rivalry was born.

Have Lyles and Hill Actually Agreed to Race?

For months, this war of words seemed like just another case of athletes talking big on social media. But then, things got serious.

In September 2024, Lyles revealed that he and Hill’s teams were “in conversations” about setting up a race. By October, reports surfaced that a deal had been reached—though no official race date was announced.

That brings us to the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, where Lyles’ victory—and his message to Hill—seemed like an intentional move to hype up the potential showdown.

So now, the biggest question in sprinting remains:

Who would win in a race?

Breaking Down the Numbers: Lyles vs. Hill

While Hill’s speed on a football field is undeniable, the data strongly favors Lyles in a race on a real track.

🏆 Noah Lyles (Track & Field Star)

• 100m Personal Best: 9.79 seconds (2024 Paris Olympics)

• 60m Personal Best: 6.43 seconds (2024 USATF Indoor Championships)

• Recent 60m Time: 6.52 seconds (New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 2025)

🏈 Tyreek Hill (NFL Wide Receiver & Former Track Athlete)

• 100m Personal Best: 9.98 seconds (2013 NJCAA Championships, wind-assisted)

• 60m Personal Best: 6.70 seconds (2023 USATF Masters Indoor Championships)

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.29 seconds

Why Lyles Has the Edge in a Head-to-Head Race

While Hill’s speed on the football field is legendary, his numbers in official track events suggest that he would struggle against Lyles in a straight sprint. Here’s why:

1️⃣ Lyles Has a Faster Top Speed

Lyles hit a personal best of 9.79 seconds in the 100m at the 2024 Olympics, while Hill’s best (9.98 seconds) came in 2013—and was wind-assisted.

If we compare raw speed, Lyles is simply faster over longer distances.

2️⃣ Lyles Is a Trained Sprinter, Hill Is a Football Player

There’s no doubt Hill is one of the fastest players in NFL history, but training for football speed is very different from training for track speed.

• Hill’s 40-yard dash (4.29 sec) shows insane acceleration, but a football field is not a track.

• Lyles has spent his entire career perfecting his technique and top-end speed.

3️⃣ Hill’s 60m Time Is Slower

• Lyles’ best 60m time is 6.43 seconds.

• Hill’s best 60m time is 6.70 seconds.

That 0.27-second gap may not sound like much, but in sprinting terms? It’s huge.

4️⃣ Track Races Aren’t the Same as Game Speed

Hill’s elite football speed is different from sprinting mechanics. Even though he’s been clocked at 23.24 mph in a game, acceleration and endurance in a straight, 100m race are entirely different skills.

Lyles, on the other hand, does this exact thing for a living.

Could Tyreek Hill Ever Beat Noah Lyles?

The short answer? It’s possible, but unlikely.

Hill’s best shot at winning would be in a 40-yard dash—where his NFL training, rapid acceleration, and explosive start give him an edge.

However, any race over 60 meters heavily favors Lyles. Even if Hill gets a strong start, Lyles’ top-end speed is simply too much to overcome.

So if the two do eventually race, the format will determine everything.

Final Thoughts: Is This Just Hype, or Will We Actually See a Race?

For now, Lyles and Hill are doing a great job of keeping fans engaged in their rivalry.

• Lyles’ cheeky “Tyreek could never” note at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix proves he’s enjoying the back-and-forth.

• Hill, on the other hand, hasn’t responded—but he has repeatedly said he’s serious about racing Lyles.

If they actually settle this on the track, it would be one of the most hyped sprint showdowns in years.

Will it happen? Only time will tell.

But one thing is clear: Noah Lyles is ready. Now, it’s up to Tyreek Hill to step up