Why Did Noah Lyles Pull Out of the Race With Tyreek Hill? The Truth Behind the Sprint Showdown

By Jayson Panganiban June 18, 2025 09:56

The much-anticipated sprint showdown between Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was abruptly canceled, leaving fans disappointed and curious about the reasons behind the decision. Originally planned for a high-profile event in New York City’s Times Square, the race promised to pit one of the fastest men on the planet against one of the NFL’s most electrifying speedsters. However, in a recent public statement, Lyles revealed that “complications” and “personal reasons” led to the cancellation, despite the event being “very far along” in its organization.

The race had been teased since early 2025, following a playful back-and-forth between Lyles and Hill on social media and in interviews. The two athletes had expressed mutual respect and competitive spirit, with Lyles holding a sign that read “Tyreek could never” after winning a 60-meter race in Boston, and Hill responding with a sign saying “Noah could never” after clocking a 10.15-second 100-meter dash at a California track meet. This banter fueled excitement over a potential race that would cover a hybrid distance 366 meters and 100 meters to accommodate both athletes’ specialties.

Noah Lyles, who secured the 100-meter Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games with a blistering 9.78-second finish, was widely considered the favorite in a pure sprint contest. Meanwhile, Hill, at 31 years old, impressed with his recent 10.15-second 100-meter time despite not competing regularly in track events for over a decade. The race was set to be a spectacle, with plans to “shut down” Times Square and feature extensive promotional billboards, underscoring the event’s scale and significance.

Speaking at the Sport Beach event in Cannes, France, Lyles addressed the cancellation candidly. “We were very deep into creating the event. In fact, it was supposed to happen this weekend,” he said. “Unfortunately, due to various complications and personal matters, it just didn’t materialize. But we were full on. We were going to have a big event”. He did not elaborate on the specific nature of these complications, leaving room for speculation but emphasizing that the decision was mutual and respectful.

Tyreek Hill responded to the cancellation with characteristic humor and competitive spirit, sharing a meme of Lyles’ face edited onto Homer Simpson retreating into bushes, alongside a social media jab referencing his recent 100-meter performance. Despite the disappointment, Hill remains active in track meets and NFL preparations, suggesting that the race could be revisited in the future if schedules and circumstances align.

The cancellation also reflects the practical challenges of organizing such a high-profile event, especially given Hill’s commitments to the upcoming NFL season and Lyles’ own training and competition schedule. According to reports, the tight timeline and logistical hurdles made rescheduling difficult in the near term.

In sum, while the sprint showdown between Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill was highly anticipated, it ultimately fell victim to “personal reasons” and logistical complications. Both athletes expressed enthusiasm for the concept, and fans remain hopeful that the race might be revived down the line. Until then, the playful rivalry continues to capture the imagination of sports fans eager to see track speed collide with gridiron explosiveness.

This episode underscores the complexities behind organizing crossover sporting events and highlights the respect between two of the fastest athletes in their respective fields. As Lyles noted, “It was going to be a lot of fun,” a sentiment shared by fans who eagerly await the day the race finally happens.