NFL star who claimed he could beat Usain Bolt is still without job after 365 days to forget
Tyreek Hill, who has repeatedly claimed he could beat Usain Bolt in a race and challenged the Olympian to face him, is still in rehabilitation following a brutal leg injury, as the NFL star looks to put his career back on track.
The former Miami Dolphins receiver endured a horrific leg injury, specifically to his knee, in September of 2025, during a 27-21 win over the New York Jets.
At the time, Hill was ruled out for the season, with a long road ahead of him in his recovery; now, almost a year later, the NFL star is still sidelined.
The injury occurred in late September, with his dislocated knee containing multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL. His season ended after just four games; the injury came via a tackle from Jets defensive back Malachi Moore.
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The 32-year-old, well known for his playful banter with eight-time Olympic gold medalist Bolt took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal his timeline for recovery.
“So it’s about 10 months after doing two surgeries,” said Hill. “My left leg is the one that I injured. I have no power in my left leg at all, so I’m trying to regain all the power back in my left leg.
“But it’s one day at a time. I ain’t going to tell you what my timeline is, but [the] timeline [is] looking real good right now, man,” concluded the 32-year-old.
Tyreek Hill recovering following calls for Usain Bolt race
Hill has posted various videos online of his training camps, as the 32-year-old, currently a free agent, looks for a pathway back into the NFL.
He made headlines often near the start of the decade, after challenging Bolt to a race and even claiming he could beat the Olympian.
Nicknamed The Cheetah, Hill was loud in his call-out of Bolt — more playful than disrespectful — and prompted the eight-time gold medalist to respond.
In August 2021, Bolt appeared on The Dan Patrick Show and discussed whether he would take up Hill on his challenge.
"It's something I've thought about," confessed Bolt. "Should I, should I not?” — the NFL star proposed that he and Bolt race in a 40-yard dash.
“I still don’t think he can take me in 40 metres,” said the Olympian, after the host proposed that Hill settle on a 70-metre race, to meet in the middle.
"I don't think he's going to go for that," laughed Bolt. “I said it to him. I texted him, 'You keep talking. I might just show up.'"
Hill’s personal best in the 100 metres arrived in high school, when the future NFL star managed a sub-10 time — 9.98 seconds; however, that effort was wind-assisted.
Known at the time as the fastest man in American football, the now 32-year-old recorded a blistering 4.29-second 40-yard dash, prompting his call-out of Bolt. His true 100-metre best is believed to be 10.19 seconds.
Bolt still holds the race’s all-time record, recording a jaw-dropping 9.58-second time at the World Athletics Championship in 2009.
“Usain Bolt got out of the game for a reason, right?” Hill told reporters in July 2021. “He’s old, he’s washed up, and he can’t see me in 40 yards. Hundred-yard dash, yes, that’s what he [does]. But a 40-yard dash, according to this Usain Bolt, you cannot see me,” joked Hill.
The eight-time gold medalist claimed to have ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash at an NFL combine aged 35, surpassing Hill's time. That has since been disputed but, despite the public playfulness, the pair never faced off.
For now, Hill continues in his journey to recovery, as the free agent looks to make an NFL comeback.
Topics: Usain Bolt, NFL, American Football, Athletics
Kedar Bayley