Usain Bolt 40 Yard Dash Controversy Thickens as Fresh Video Hits Twitter

Amid the World Indoor Championships thrill, the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, college football players partook in mental and physical challenges in front of the NFL coaches, scouts, and GMs. NFL prospect Xavier Worthy stole the show by running the fastest-ever 40-yard dash at the event, but this feat attracted some controversy along the way.

Xavier also beat the same time set by the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, the only time he ran an NFL-style 40-yard dash. Interestingly, there is another athlete who claimed he could beat the Lightning Bolt in the 40-yard dash. According to the video that surfaced on social media, Bolt was seen running with sweatpants and tennis shoes at the 2019 Super Bowl Experience. That day Bolt unofficially tied the NFL scouting combine’s 40-yard dash record with a 4.22-second rumble. He tied with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross’ record from the 2017 combine.

On the Lucas Oil Stadium video board, Worthy’s initial time stood at 4.22s. But on a closer look, he emerged as the NFL leader having run a 4.21s. The official record holder John Ross was always idolized by the  20-year-old. Now, after achieving the feat, he said, “I watched the Combine my whole life as a kid since John Ross ran it. Man, I never thought I would be on the stage to do that… I just broke the record. It still doesn’t feel real… Man, just a blessing to be able to do this in front of all these fans, with all these peers I’m with.”

However, controversy brewed as Bolt’s time was 0.01s more than Worthy.

Xavier faster than ‘Lightning Bolt’

Xavier Worthy surely sent out a clear message to NFL teams after breaking the 40-yard dash record at the Combine. The sports community chimed in to express their thoughts about this feat. Bleacher Report’s X post read, “Xavier Worthy ran a faster 40-YD dash time than Usain Bolt”. Another post by Chris Chavez reads, “Usain Bolt was retired, in sweatpants and flat-soled shoes when he ran 4.22 in 2019”. One and half years into retirement, the 8x Olympic gold medalist was rather ‘chilling’ than considering the run contentious.

Travis Miller’s X post reads, “You mean that time Usain Bolt showed up in street clothes and ran for fun…smh”. The resurfaced video received accolades for Bolt’s portrayal of magnificence on the NFL 40-yard dash. But while we sing praises of the Jamaican prodigy, we can’t skip commending Xavier Worthy’s stellar performance.

In a 2021 chat on “The Dan Patrick Show”, the host suggested a race between Bolt and Miami Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill. Bolt’s gold medal and Hill’s Super Bowl ring were at stake. Bolt thought it would be a big event but admitted Hill might not accept the challenge. In another instance Bolt stirred things up further on the “Pat McAfee Show” in July 2021, and said Hill had “no chance” of beating him in a 40-yard dash. But Hill, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds in 2016, thought he could beat the world’s fastest man.

Hill said, “He’s old. He’s washed up. And he can’t see me at 40 yards, Hundred-yard dash? Yes, that’s what he does. But 40-yard dash … Usain Bolt, you cannot see me.” In a game against the New York Giants in Week 5 {2023}, Hill reached a top speed of 22.01 mph. Only D.K. Metcalf (22. 23 mph) and Chase Brown (22.05 mph) were faster than Hill.

It’s time for Worthy to show his NFL excellence, but alongside fellow wide receiver Tyreek Hill, will he be able to shift his focus to core track and field as well? If so, Usain Bolt’s position might be challenged. The NFL Draft is scheduled on April 25-27, in Detroit.

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