Tyreek Hill’s 100-meter comeback wasn’t just fast. It ignited a firestorm. After posting a 10.15 at the Last Chance Sprint Series in Sherman Oaks, the Miami Dolphins star didn’t hold back, firing a sharp dig at world champion Noah Lyles, “Noah could never.” The message sparked immediate reaction across the track world. But what caught everyone off guard? Hill, a former track star turned NFL sensation, earned unexpected backing from someone inside the sport.
While many mocked the performance, respected analyst Colin Waitzman offered a surprising take. Hill might actually have a shot at Team USA for the World Championships. “Nobody cared what the time was,” Waitzman admitted on the Track World News podcast. “But it’s two big-name people in their own respective right racing against each other and then you have Tyreek Hill a big name in his own respective right racing against a bunch of high schoolers,” Waitzman added. Despite his frustration with the media’s focus, “Bleacher Report didn’t post crap about Jordan Anthony winning the NCAA championship, but they posted three times about Tyreek Hill,” Waitzman made it clear. Hill’s time wasn’t just for headlines. “10.15 is sliding. That is quick, especially for a season opener,” he said. Waitzman further mentioned that Hill has ran faster than Trayvon Charleston, Ronnie Baker, and Andre De Grasse this year—and that “this isn’t even his sport.” Noah Williams, a top sprinter himself, chimed in too, shifting the tone of the conversation.
“That was incredible. I think he can make a team too, for real. He actually can make a team, and I want him to try,” Williams added. Surely, his take wasn’t just fan service. It was rooted in what he saw. Williams acknowledged the raw speed Hill brought to the table, admitting that his early burst could even make a 60-meter race with Noah Lyles competitive. “He a lighter, no cap, man,” he added with a laugh. Highlighting the surprise Hill injected into the elite sprint conversation.
While Waitzman made it clear Hill isn’t a favorite, he didn’t write him off either. “Is he a favorite? Of course not,” he said. “But he has an out. There is a chance that Tyreek Hill, 10 years retiring from track, gets on this team,” Waitzman went on. He even suggested a time of 9.98 could be within reach. “If you’re running 10 flats, 9.99s, you could end up winning it… You could end up getting on some sort of team.” And beyond the stopwatch, Waitzman saw an even bigger upside. “If he goes to the USAs… it’s going to double take our following. People going to tune in.”For all the noise Tyreek Hill stirred, the reactions from within track and field proved more layered than expected.
Sep 30, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
While his jab at Noah Lyles ruffled feathers, his performance commanded attention. Even reluctant respect. And if Hill does show up at the U.S. Championships, he won’t just be racing against time. He’ll be forcing an entire sport to reckon with its gatekeeping. Whether he makes Team USA or not, Tyreek Hill is already winning something track has long struggled to secure. Mainstream spotlight. Well, it is certain that Hill vs Lyles has stirred up the internet. So much so, that Grand Slam Track founder, Michael Johnson too, didn’t hesitate in calling the showdown a ‘spectacle’.
Did Michael Johnson just dismiss Tyreek Hill vs. Noah Lyles showdown as mere entertainment?
Michael Johnson has seen enough. The four-time Olympic gold medalist and sprinting icon is not buying into the hype surrounding the anticipated clash between NFL superstar Tyreek Hill and track titan Noah Lyles. While fans of both sports argue over who has the edge in the 60-meter showdown, Johnson’s stance is unflinching. “If it’s a track meet, if it’s a track race, if it’s 100 meters, that’s not a race,” he said bluntly on The Rich Eisen Show. The track legend further added, “Tyreek can’t beat the 20th, 30th-ranked 100 meter runner in the world.”
Noah Lyles and Tyreek Hill (Images Credit: IMAGO)
Johnson, currently spearheading the launch of the ambitious Grand Slam Track league, didn’t mince words when asked about the head-to-head. He made clear that, in his view, the match-up isn’t serious sport. it’s showbiz. “This is just entertainment,” he stated, distancing the spectacle from the competitive spirit that defines elite athletics. His words cut through the noise, casting a sharp light on the entertainment-versus-sport debate at the heart of this event.
As the commissioner of a league built to elevate track and field into a year-round professional circuit, Johnson’s comments reflect a deeper mission. He’s focused on legitimizing the sport’s future, not on sideshows. So, while Hill may bring the flash and Lyles the flair, Johnson sees their race for what it is. Just a viral moment, not a test of track supremacy. For him, the real race is transforming the track into a global, fan-driven powerhouse.
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