Tyreek Hill recently stirred the pot on the Up & Adams podcast, confidently claiming, “I would beat Noah Lyles. I wouldn’t beat him by a lot, but I would beat Noah Lyles.” This bold declaration came hot on the heels of Lyles snagging the 100-meter gold at Paris 2024. Naturally, Noah Lyles wasn’t about to let that slide.

When Shannon Sharpe brought up the challenge on Nightcap, Noah Lyles was game—if Hill was “serious about it.” But Hill’s request to race in a 50-yard dash didn’t exactly scream seriousness. So, when NBC caught up with NoJo to get his take on the so-called “beef,” his response was as direct as his sprinting: short and brutally honest!

“It can’t be beef because it’s one-sided,” he told the NBC hosts, in a classic display of Noah Lyles’ confidence. While many have come to dislike the 27-year-old’s displays, branding them as brashness, there’s a good reason behind the sprinter’s confidence. The six-time world champion has largely ignored the shots fired by the wide receiver. He has only responded when asked about it.

So, the track and icon may have said the NFL‘s Cheetah’s persistence in beating him is a one-sided and foolhardy mission. However, it’s more likely the sprint double world champion knows it would be a one-sided victory for himself if the pair raced. While the Super Bowl champion chose to pursue a football career, he never forgot his tracks and field roots.

The two athletes were more closely matched in high school and college, with Hill’s 10.19 second 100m PB. However, the story is different now. The Pairs 2024 double medalist is still faster across 60 meters, despite slower acceleration stats against the top 100m sprinters. Finally, Noah Lyles hopes the match will be fair, as 50 yards (45.72 meters) is too short for either athlete to hit top speed.

However, Tyreek Hill has silently avoided adhering to the 100m standard in his challenge. However, even if the two athletes could agree on all fronts, there’s another reason why NoJo has mostly dismissed the NFL star!

The more pressing reason behind Noah Lyles refusing to entrain Tyreek Hill

Scores of track and field fans, including Tyreek Hill, bet against the defending world champion during the 100m finals. Yet, the champion lived up to everything he had boasted about ahead of the Olympics. Despite being the underdog on paper, Noah Lyles cinched a goal. However, the issues started a day after the historic 100m where Lyles broke a 16-year medal drought.

The following day, Lyles felt sick and fatigued and had symptoms similar to COVID-19. A test by the team doctor confirmed his suspicions. Yet Noah Lyles competed and won the 200-meter bronze, and the effort took a severe toll. While speaking to Shannon Sharpe, NoJo revealed that he will focus on rest and recovery for the rest of the season. Although the Olympian has recovered from COVID-19, he is too weak to compete.

“I’m done for this year man, I’m shutting it down,” the track icon told the NFL legend. Noah Lyles doesn’t want to race with Tyreek Hill, or any of his rivals when doesn’t feel 100% physically. Yet, do you think the track icon and the NFL star will race in the future? Write your thoughts in the comments.