Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and track star Noah Lyles made a big announcement Friday regarding their long-teased race.
In a joint interview with Natasha Dye of People, Hill and Lyles confirmed their plans to race each other sometime this summer. Details were scarce, but the two said the race would happen before July, when Lyles is due to compete in the U.S. Championships. A location has also not yet been determined.
The two have also not decided on the length of a race. Hill indicated it would be longer than 40 meters, because Lyles is “scared” to face him in that format. Lyles fired back that it would have to be less than 100 meters, because Hill would lose that format in a “blowout.”
Hill and Lyles said they both had great respect for each other’s professional accomplishments. Hill said he feels compelled to do the race “for the guys that play my sport,” while Lyles is ready to “beat up on Tyreek to prove that I’m the world’s fastest.”
The agreement comes after Lyles taunted Hill following his recent 60-meter victory at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in early February. That was Lyles’ first race since last summer’s Olympics.
Hill and Lyles have been going at each other since the Olympics, when Hill accused Lyles of faking illness after the heavily-favored sprinter only won bronze in the 200m men’s race. Hill, who ran track through college, also claimed that he could beat Lyles in a race, which escalated their ongoing war of words.
Hill can focus on his upcoming race now that his future appears to be sorted. After seemingly checking out of Miami at the end of the season, the Dolphins receiver went back on his comments and indicated that he intends to remain with the team in 2025.
