The much-anticipated sprint duel between Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill has taken an unexpected turn, but fans of speed may still get their wish for a track-meets-football showdown. Instead of the Olympic champion Noah Lyles, it is now his younger brother, Josephus Lyles, who is stepping up to the starting line to face the Miami Dolphins’ star wide receiver.
The race is reportedly scheduled to take place at the ATX Sprint Classic in Georgetown, Texas, and promises to be a high-octane clash of pride and speed. While Josephus may not enjoy the global fame of his older brother, he is far from a lightweight on the track. The 26-year-old sprinter has a personal best of 10.03 seconds in the 100 meters, giving him a slight edge over Hill, who recently clocked 10.15 seconds in a return to the track.
Josephus has also showcased his speed in the 200 meters, having dipped under the 20-second mark with a personal best of 19.93 seconds. His sprinting pedigree was established early when he helped the USA win gold in the 4x400m relay at the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships. This season, he kicked off his campaign with a time of 10.23 seconds in Florida, indicating that he’s working toward peak performance as the outdoor circuit builds momentum.
Tyreek Hill, known as the “Cheetah” for his explosive acceleration in the NFL, has never strayed far from his sprinting roots. Despite focusing on football for most of the past decade, he sent shockwaves through the sprinting world when he clocked 10.15 seconds in California earlier this month. That time came over 10 years after his last serious foray into competitive track, showing that his raw pace hasn’t dulled with age.
Hill was a standout track athlete in his youth, winning medals at the 2012 World Junior Championships, including a bronze in the 200 meters and gold in the 4x100m relay. Now 31, Hill has reignited his passion for the track, not just as a competitor but also as a mentor coaching his young son, Zev, as he starts his own sprinting journey.
Whether this new face-off lives up to the original hype, the Josephus Lyles vs. Tyreek Hill duel promises to be an electrifying contest that blends the worlds of elite sprinting and NFL athleticism.
