NFL star who said he could outrun Usain Bolt is still looking for a job after a year to forget
Tyreek Hill, who’s often joked that he could outrun Usain Bolt and even challenged the Olympic sprinter to a race, is still working hard to recover from a serious leg injury. The NFL star is focused on getting his career back on track.
The former Miami Dolphins receiver hurt his knee badly in September 2025 during a close 27-21 win against the New York Jets. He was ruled out for the rest of the season because of the injury, which included a dislocated knee and several torn ligaments, like his ACL. The injury happened after a tackle by Jets defensive back Malachi Moore, and it cut his season short after only four games.
Nearly a year later, Hill is still not back on the field. On Instagram Wednesday, the 32-year-old opened up about his recovery progress. “It’s been about 10 months since my two surgeries,” he said. “My left leg is the one hurt, and right now, I have no power in it. I’m working every day to get that strength back.”
He added, “It’s one day at a time. I’m not setting a strict timeline, but things are looking good right now.”
Hill has shared clips of his training as he stays hopeful about returning to the NFL. Currently a free agent, he’s eager to find a way back to the game he loves.
Hill gained a lot of attention over the years for playfully calling out Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist, about who’s faster. Bolt even talked about the idea of racing Hill during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show in 2021. Bolt said he wasn’t sure if he should take up the challenge and joked about a race distance that might please both of them.
Back in high school, Hill ran a wind-assisted 9.98 seconds in the 100 meters, making him one of the fastest players in football. His best official time is thought to be 10.19 seconds. He also ran a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash, which sparked the friendly rivalry with Bolt.
Bolt still holds the world record for the 100 meters at 9.58 seconds, set in 2009. Hill once joked, “Usain Bolt got out of the game for a reason. He’s old and can’t see me in a 40-yard dash!”
Although Bolt claimed he ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash at an NFL combine when he was 35—a time that beats Hill’s—it’s been debated. Even with all the fun back-and-forth, the two never actually raced.
For now, Hill is focused on healing and hopes to come back strong to the NFL.