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Noah Lyles vs. Tyreek Hill: Comparing Speed Between Track and NFL Stars
Noah Lyles vs. Tyreek Hill: Comparing Speed Between Track...
By Arslan Saleem August 24, 2024 05:25
So, naturally, what has been on the tip of every sports fan's tongue for almost a year now is who would win if sprinter Noah Lyles raced NFL speedster Tyreek Hill. The following article compares these two great athletes, specifically their speed, skills, and much more.
Experience and Accomplishments
Noah Lyles: The Track Phenom
The next great sprinter in the world, Noah Lyles, is an American track and field athlete who has taken his own path. His accomplishments include:
- Gold medal in 100 meters at the Paris Olympics (2024)
- Bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 200 meters
- Tokyo 2020: Olympic bronze (200 m)
- Three-time 200-meter world champion
NFL speedster, Tyreek Hill
Arguably the fastest player in football, in Miami Dolphins games, Tyreek Hill is on the edge, and he outruns his defender to paydirt. Some of his sports achievements include:
- Six-time Pro Bowl selection
- Four-time First-team All-Pro
- Super Bowl champion (LIV)
- 2012 World Junior Championships 4 × 100 m relay Gold
- 2012 World Junior Championships 200 m podium (bronze)
- 2023 USA Track and Field Indoor Champion (60 meters)
Comparison Acceleration and Speed
It is difficult to compare the speed of these two because their discipline suits are so different. However, there are a few high-level metrics that we can look at:
Noah Lyles
- 9.86 seconds (100 meters)
- Famed for the ability to nearly pedal full gas over a distance
Tyreek Hill
- Top speed in a game: 23.24 mph (NFL Next Gen Stats)
- Quick with a short burst of speed and aggressive acceleration
Lyles has shown elite speed over traditional track distances, yet Hill's game-day quickness is displayed in short bursts during football plays. This means that Hill's quick start and acceleration could potentially serve him well in shorter distances, with Lyles' top-end speed giving him that much more of an edge as the race wears on.
Factors Influencing Speed
Training and Specialization
Lyles has spent his entire career sprinting, concentrating on both technique for the track and endurance events. His workout consists of football-specific movements and sprint work, with an approach that focuses on sudden starts and contact areas.
Physical Attributes
Given the spectacular showings above, both athletes probably have a high proportion of fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic muscle fibers, which are important for burst activities. Hill said that football-trained lower body strength could help him with initial acceleration.
Biomechanics
Lyles excels at running the sprints and timed his launch across this track-asphalt blend, with attention to stride length and arm carriage. Hill has the ability to quickly change directions—useful in football but not so much for running the straightaways.
Event Specific Advantages
Track and field demand differs from playing in the NFL, allowing each athlete to hold their benefits:
Noah Lyles
- Straight Line, No Obstacles
- Specializes in 100- and 200-meter events
- Competence with start blocks for an explosive beginning
Tyreek Hill
- Both are used to running in pads, and the possibility of getting hit
- Quick in a short-area change of direction and burst
- Able to Change Speed on Routes
Cross-Sport Competition Opportunities
Interest has been high in the eventuality of a Lyles Hill race; Lyles said last week that he would run against Hill on one condition:
"Someone will sponsor the event, and we'll be running for millions of dollars on a track, and they're talking about who can run 100m faster," Lyles told NBC News regarding potential competition between him, Bolt, and De Grasse.
That said, Lyles is adamant about running the entire 100 meters, while Hill appears more inclined to a half-century. The difference in distance choice might be very important when deciding the result for a potential race.
Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill are both outstanding athletes with flash speed to match, but they're built differently for their different roles. The events are completely diverse, so it is impossible to make a direct comparison. The possibility of those iconic names racing against one another may linger in fans' minds. Still, it always reopens a can or jar of worms about what true speed looks like across various athletic platforms.
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