What could’ve been one of the most explosive speed battles in sports history just got left at the starting blocks.
The much-hyped sprint between NFL superstar Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles—originally set to stop traffic in New York’s Times Square—has officially been canceled.
The reason? A mix of personal setbacks and behind-the-scenes complications, according to Lyles himself.
“We were deep into it. It was supposed to happen this weekend,” Lyles told The New York Post. “We were going to shut down Times Square, fill it with billboards—it was going to be huge.”
The Sprint That Wasn’t
The showdown had all the makings of a cultural moment:
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- One of the NFL’s fastest wide receivers vs.
- The reigning 100m world champion, fresh off Olympic gold
- A primetime race in the heart of Times Square
- Massive brand buzz and cross-sport bragging rights
But despite the planning, the hype, and the fan anticipation, the event collapsed before it ever got going. Lyles cited “personal reasons” as the main cause, along with other unnamed “complications” that threw off the execution.
No official statement has come from Hill or his team.
Why It Mattered: Speed, Ego & The Ultimate Flex
This wasn’t just a race. It was two worlds colliding—football speed vs. track speed, Instagram fame vs. Olympic legacy. Tyreek Hill, known as “Cheetah” for his game-breaking speed on the field, had long teased a race with Lyles, claiming his football roots gave him the edge.
Earlier this year, Hill reignited his track ambitions by entering a Florida meet, stunning fans with a 10.15-second 100m dash—a jaw-dropping time for someone who hadn’t raced since college.
Still, Lyles? He’s built different. His 9.79-second sprint in Paris last summer earned him gold and reaffirmed his title as the world’s fastest man.
Fans Were Ready—And Now, They’re Frustrated
Social media had already crowned the event as a summer highlight. Fans were eager to see if Hill’s gridiron speed could match Lyles’ raw sprinting dominance.
TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter were filled with training clips, playful jabs, and fan-made promos hyping up the match. Even sneaker brands and streaming platforms were circling the event.
But now? Just silence—and disappointment.
“This was our Tyson vs. Ali moment for speed,” one fan posted. “And we didn’t even get to hear the bell.”
What’s Next: Is There Still Hope for 2025?
With NFL training camps set to begin soon, Hill’s window for any non-football endeavors is closing fast. A rematch—or rather, the first match—won’t realistically happen until offseason 2025, if at all.
Whether the spark survives that long remains to be seen. Lyles seems open to revisiting the idea, but only if timing, training, and logistics align.
For now, the fantasy remains just that—a dream matchup that never left the blocks.
Both Still Running Their Own Lanes
Despite the fizzled face-off, both athletes remain dominant:
- Tyreek Hill will return this fall to terrify defenses as the Miami Dolphins’ #1 weapon.
- Noah Lyles is eyeing even more gold as he prepares for the next World Championships.
They may not have raced each other, but make no mistake—they’re still the fastest men in their own universes.
Quick Recap:
- Tyreek Hill vs. Noah Lyles race canceled days before scheduled event
- Was planned as a major Times Square spectacle
- Lyles cited “personal reasons” and other complications
- Hill recently clocked 10.15s in a 100m race
- Lyles holds 9.79s gold-medal time
- Possible reschedule for 2025, but future unclear
What Do You Think?
Were you hyped for the Hill vs. Lyles race?
Should NFL stars cross into track for real?
Let us know your take in the comments—and keep it locked to The Pop Radar (TPR) for exclusive updates on sports, culture, and everything in between.
