American Sprint Legend Justin Gatlin on Why Tyreek Hill And Noah Lyles Should Compete in a 55-Meter Dash

Justin Gatlin has explained why Tyreek Hill and Noah Lyles should race in a 55-meter dash.

NFL star Tyreek Hill turned heads last week with an eye-catching 100-meter dash performance at a track meet in California , clocking an impressive 10.14 seconds in what he called his “season opener.”

It was an impressive performance by Hill, 31, considering it was the first time he was taking part in a track and field race since his college days. 

 The Miami Dolphins wide receiver drew praise — and some pointed commentary — from none other than American sprint legend Justin Gatlin, who both applauded Hill’s effort and called for a more creative follow-up if the football star hopes to challenge Olympic sprinting royalty like Noah Lyles.

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Both athletes were set to take each other on this month following a series of trash talking exchanges between the two, but Lyles confirmed it was postponed after the 2024 Olympic 100m champion cited “personal problems” got in the way.

“Great job, but you need a better sign,” Gatlin said with a chuckle on his Ready Set Go Podcast reacting to the gesture Hill made after winning the race that read “Noah Lyles Could Never”, replicating the one the latter had made of him after winning a race in New York in January.

 “Noah jogs at 10.15.”

Gatlin, known for his straight talk and deep sprinting credentials, was not impressed with the recycled jab.

“That’s already been done,” he said. “Noah’s run way faster than that — and with less effort. If you’re going to talk, bring something new to the table.”

Despite the critique, Gatlin was quick to acknowledge the significance of Hill’s performance. The fact that Hill ran a legitimate 100-meter race — with blocks, a starting pistol, and real competition — set him apart from other non-track athletes making casual sprint claims.

“He didn’t run it in the street or post a 40-yard dash video,” Gatlin said. “He showed up on a real track, against real sprinters, and he won. That earns respect.”

Gatlin on Why 55 Meters Would Be an Ideal Dash Between Both

Rather than dismissing Hill’s effort, Gatlin proposed a solution that could settle the growing banter between Hill and Lyles: a 55-meter race.

“If we really want to see them race, 55 meters is the sweet spot,” Gatlin explained. “It’s short enough to highlight Tyreek’s explosive speed, but long enough to let Noah get going. That would be a true test.”

Gatlin hinted that a showdown could realistically take place in July, as Lyles begins to peak for the summer season and Hill continues to build his form.

“Tyreek called this his season opener, which means he’s planning more races,” Gatlin said. “If he stays in the game, and keeps running like this, it’s not crazy to think we could see something real go down this summer.”

What stood out most to Gatlin was Hill’s willingness to step fully into the world of track and field, rather than using his NFL fame as a platform to throw jabs from the sidelines.

“He did it the right way,” Gatlin said. “He ran our race — our distance — and didn’t sandbag it. That earns my respect. He showed he’s more than talk.”

As chatter builds around a potential Hill vs. Lyles sprint, Gatlin’s message was clear: if Tyreek Hill wants to truly make his mark in sprinting, he’s on the right path — but the bar is high.

“If you see Tyreek’s name on that heat sheet, don’t take him lightly,” Gatlin warned. “He’s not just an NFL guy running fast. He’s a real competitor now.”

Whether it happens over 100 meters or the proposed 55, a head-to-head between Hill and Lyles would be one of the most anticipated cross-sport matchups in recent memory.