The much-anticipated sprint showdown between Olympic champion Noah Lyles and NFL speedster Tyreek Hill has been abruptly cancelled, reigniting a wave of drama involving former World Champion Fred Kerley.
Lyles pulled out of the race citing personal reasons and undisclosed complications, effectively ending the growing anticipation of a direct duel between the elite sprinter and the explosive wide receiver. The cancellation sparked a flurry of reactions, especially after Hill’s eye-catching performance at the “Last Chance Sprint Series,” where he clocked a remarkable 10.15 seconds over 100 metres a time good enough to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Capitalizing on the spotlight, Hill took to social media to poke fun at Lyles for withdrawing, suggesting the Olympian was dodging the challenge. Although Hill referred to his 10.15-second sprint as “jogging,” a video clip showed him reaching an impressive 21.8 mph, with a caption teasing a goal of 26 mph. The post added more fuel to the fire, prompting fans and athletes alike to weigh in.
Enter Fred Kerley. The Olympic silver medalist jumped into the conversation with a terse response to Hill’s post: “That all.” The cryptic comment was seen as a subtle jab or perhaps a direct challenge by fans who interpreted it as Kerley positioning himself as a new contender. When asked if he would be willing to race Hill, Kerley responded only with “that fam,” neither confirming nor denying interest but keeping the buzz alive.
With Lyles stepping away and Kerley stirring the pot, attention has shifted toward a potential new showdown. Many fans believe Kerley could reignite the hype that was lost with Lyles’ exit.
The rivalry between Lyles and Hill had been brewing since the 2024 Olympics. Hill had persistently challenged Lyles to a race, only to be called a “clout chaser” by the track star. Lyles even referenced NFL player DK Metcalf’s genuine attempt at sprinting, questioning Hill’s seriousness. The feud intensified when Lyles celebrated a victory by holding a bib that read, “Tyreek could never,” prompting Hill to fire back with a banner that read, “NOAH COULD NEVER.”
Despite both agreeing to race publicly, the matchup never materialized. Hill later expressed his frustration on a podcast, claiming Lyles was never truly committed. Now, with Fred Kerley in the mix, the saga might not be over after all.
