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Tyreek Hill calls out former Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III for a race

Henry Ruggs III runs the ball for an 81-yard touchdown for Alabama versus South Carolina in 2019
Cedric Mason - Touchdown Alabama Magazine

We will soon see who truly is the fastest player in the National Football League.

After social media treated us to a fun 40-yard dash between Terrell Owens and Tyreek Hill, could we potential see a better foot race on the horizon? On Thursday, Hill gave the crew on ESPN’s First Take a preview of what he is thinking.

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At 26 years of age, the former fifth-round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Kansas City Chiefs has already cemented a remarkable career at wide receiver. Hill has two 1,000-yard seasons in four years, four trips to the Pro Bowl, two first-team NFL All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring.

He is regarded as the fastest player in the league; however, he wants a big challenge to defend his crown.

Upon being asked by Max Kellerman on who is his biggest competition, Hill did not hesitate to name a former University of Alabama standout.

Tyreek Hill on the Chiefs' Super Bowl win & Patrick Mahomes' game | First Take

*Hill calls out Henry Ruggs at 5:30 mark

“I want to race Henry Ruggs,” he said.

Hill wants to take on players from different and those who are hard for him to get to. He wants to promote fun, togetherness and laughter on his platform, but challenging someone who had a faster 40-time than him at the NFL Scouting Combine is interesting. While the man who has earned the nickname “Cheetah” was clocked at 4.29 seconds, Ruggs blazed the 40 at 4.27 seconds. A native of Montgomery, Ala., Ruggs was a track star at Robert E. Lee High School and was a five-star at Alabama.

He drafted No. 12 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders back in April.

Some major television network must get this race on pay-per-view.

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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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