If you’re a sports fan, you’ve likely caught wind of the intense debate between Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill that’s been making waves. Lyles is determined to ‘destroy’ Hill in a race, dismissing the NFL star’s challenge as mere bravado. The Olympic champion isn’t backing down, calling the feud ‘one-sided.’ It all started when Lyles questioned if Super Bowl winners were truly “World Champs.” Hill responded by highlighting Lyles’ 200m performance and challenging him to a 50-yard race. Hill confidently declared on the Up & Adams show, “I will beat Noah Lyles… not by much, but I will beat him.” Despite this, Lyles remains unfazed and ready to prove Hill wrong.

After such an intense debate, a new voice has entered the spotlight over speed. Former NFL star Rondé Barber has weighed in, delivering a clear message. Barber confidently asserts that Noah Lyles would “easily destroy” Tyreek Hill in any race, highlighting the significant difference between track athletes and football players. Speaking to WFLA.com on Aug 27, 2024, Barber explained, “Oh, trust me, [track athletes] do it for a living, they will destroy any ‘fast’ football player.” Barber’s comments make it clear who would come out on top.

Barber, who excelled as a high school hurdler, shared his experience. “I started hurdling really young,” Barber recalled with a hint of nostalgia. “By the time I reached the higher levels, I had been perfecting my craft for years.” He paused, emphasizing the dedication it takes to reach the top. “These sprinters, like Noah Lyles, are running insanely fast times… because they’ve mastered their technique,” Barber said, his admiration clear. “It’s what sets them apart.” Barber’s comments add weight to the debate, firmly backing Lyles to win the race if it ever happens.

After such an intense debate, a new voice has emerged. Former NFL star Rondé Barber has weighed in, declaring that no NFL player can beat a professional runner. Barber points out that Noah Lyles’ speed is continuously improving. With a 9.78-second 100m sprint, Lyles has shattered old records and surpassed the previous benchmark of 10.5 seconds.

The controversy heated up when Tyreek Hill claimed Noah Lyles faked illness at the 200m Olympics final. Hill suggested Lyles used COVID as an excuse to downplay his bronze medal. Lyles firmly disagreed, saying, “To be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything—coming out and getting a bronze medal with COVID.” He remains casual about Hill’s remarks but is unfazed by the challenge.

Hill’s confidence led him to claim he could easily beat Lyles in a race. On the Dan Patrick Show, Lyles laughed off Hill’s comments, saying, “What has he earned to deserve that status? Play football and he is a great football player. But you don’t get to jump the lines because you think you are fast. There are tons of those people in the world out there.” Lyles seemed uninterested in the online banter but challenged, “If he’s serious about it, not just talking on the internet…if you’re serious about it, you’ll see me on the track.”

Hill accepted the challenge and posted on X, “Sign the contract and lock in that 50-yard race…” However, fans criticized Hill’s challenge, considering a 50-yard race too short. Despite Hill’s personal best of 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash, he would still face difficulty beating Lyles, the 100m sprint king. In response, Lyles has proposed a new distance and renewed his challenge to Hill.

Rivalry heats up: Noah Lyles vs. Tyreek Hill’s distance challenge

After numerous online jabs, the rivalry between Tyreek Hill and Noah Lyles took a new twist on the Dan Patrick Show. Lyles dismissed the idea when asked about a football match between them, calling it too gimmicky. Instead, he challenged Hill to a 100m race—the distance where Lyles earned his “fastest man” title. “Look, he challenged me, so that means he wants the crown of the fastest man, so you have to race the race that gives you the crown,” Lyles said.

Comparing the two, Lyles holds the advantage. Many prominent figures agree. American hurdler and sprinter Rai Benjamin tweeted, “Tyreek, you’re not beating Noah in the 100, man.” Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons also weighed in on his podcast, “The Edge with Micah Parsons.” He advised Hill, “Tyreek: Keep away from that guy. That man is a professional runner.”

Parsons acknowledged Hill’s speed but pointed out that his training is suited for short sprints, not the 100m. On the other hand, Lyles trains specifically for longer distances like the 100m and 200m, making him harder to beat in this event. While a showdown between the two is still uncertain, Lyles has set his sights on the 2028 LA Olympics. He said, “I think of it [L.A. 2028] being my greatest Olympics ever,” highlighting how the home crowd will fuel his performance. As the feud continues, fans are left eagerly awaiting the next chapter.