Tyreek Hill and Kay Adams (Photo via @UpAndAdamsShow Twitter)
Miami Dolphins superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill called out US Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles on Monday and took it a step further by claiming he could beat the 27-year-old in a race.

Tyreek Hill made the bold comment while discussing Lyles’ harsh criticism of the “world champions” label used in U.S. professional sports leagues. Lyles made the following comments at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest:

“You know the thing that hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have ‘world champion’ on they head. World champion of what? The United States? Don’t get me wrong, I love the US – at times – but that ain’t the world.

We are the world. We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show they are represented. There ain’t no flags in the NBA.”

Speaking to Kay Adams on her “Up And Adams” program on FanDuel TV, Hill called out Lyles over his “world champions” comment and claimed that he could beat the world champion runner in a race.

“I will beat Noah Lyles, I will beat Noah Lyles. I won’t beat him by a lot, but I will beat Noah Lyles. And guess what? When I beat him, I’mma put on a COVID mask and let him know I mean business.”

Lyles got off to a dazzling start at the 2024 Olympics in Paris by claiming a gold medal in the men’s 100-meter race. In a stunning upset, however, he finished third in the men’s 200-meter race, with Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claiming gold.

After the race, Lyles told reporters that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 before the race. Lyles kept it quiet so that he wouldn’t risk giving an edge to his opponents.

Tyreek Hill may have also been referencing the Americans’ heartbreaking finish in the men’s 4X100 meter race. Lyles and the Americans were disqualified for a botched handoff, and the Canadian team of Jerome Blake, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney and Andre De Grasse claimed gold.

Tyreek Hill Is Coming Off A Career Year In Miami

The eight-time Pro Bowler is coming off a career year in which he caught 119 passes (tying his personal best from 2022) for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns, with the latter two marks leading the NFL.

Hill has helped Miami to two straight playoff appearances since coming over via trade, but they have gone one-and-done each time. We’ll see if Hill can help Miami to their first postseason victory since 2000.

The Dolphins open their 2024 season with a home tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 8.