Usain Bolt calls out NFL speedster Tyreek Hill for 70m race
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist says he'd need to step up training before taking on Chiefs wide receiver over intermediate distance.
Athletics
Usain Bolt says he would be up for racing against NFL star Tyreek Hill.
The pair have enjoyed some good-natured verbal jousting over the years, and met in a head-to-head series of speed challenges during Super Bowl week in 2019 including who could blow up a balloon the fastest.
In the same week, Bolt - who retired after the 2017 World Athletics Championships - ran an unofficially-timed 4.22 for the 40-yard dash which equalled the record set by John Ross at the 2017 NFL Combine where college players undergo physical and mental tests in front of prospective coaches and scouts.
Hill, nicknamed 'Cheetah', has escalated the war of words in recent weeks prompting Bolt to suggest a race at an intermediate distance of 70 metres.
The Jamaican told TMZ Sports, "I've definitely got to train. He's been working out... I work out too but I would have to step up my training. I've still got speed but I've got to get my legs going again."
If he's really serious, we can figure it out. First time I met him, he was always talking. I think it would be good to put it to bed. - USAIN BOLT TO TMZ SPORTS
Hill was an excellent sprinter at high school, with personal bests of 10.19 over 100m and 20.14 over 200m, before switching to American football.
He went to the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona, taking fourth in the 100m behind Britain's Adam Gemili, bronze in the 200m, and helping USA to 4x100m relay gold.
Now 27, the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver has established himself as the fastest player in the NFL with he and Bolt sparring over who would win a head-to-head showdown.
Bolt, who turned 35 earlier this month, added, "I still think I'd get him at 40 (yards), but you've got to be safe. I might be slow out of the blocks but I get up to top speed real quick.
There has been talk that Hill would wager his Super Bowl ring against one of Bolt's eight Olympic gold medals, but the sprint legend said, "No, I don't think he would. He's got one so he's probably scared."
The fastest man in history is a busy man with his partner Kasi Bennett giving birth to twin boys, Saint Leo and Thunder, in July after Olympia was born in May 2020.
He is also about to release his first album with childhood friend and executive manager Nugent 'NJ' Walker on his own label 9.58 Records, named in honour of his 100m world record of 9.58.
Entitled 'Country Yutes', it features the single 'It's A Party' which has already become an international reggae hit.
While the album is labelled as by 'Usain Bolt x NJ', Bolt is very much the producer with NJ providing the vocals.