The NFL fans are head over heels for Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy after he broke the 40-yard dash record in the 2024 NFL Combine. However, one might wonder if he was fast enough to beat the legendary sprinters Usain Bolt and Christian Coleman.
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Xavier Worthy recorded a 4.21 second in his second attempt at the 40-yard dash, surpassing the previous record of John Ross III by 0.01 seconds. He raced at a lightning speed of 24.41 mph, completing a 10-yard split in just 1.49 seconds. Moreover, he also posted a 41-inch vertical leap and recorded a broad jump of 10’11.
OFFICIAL: 4.21
XAVIER WORTHY HOLDS THE NEW 40-YARD DASH RECORD pic.twitter.com/IrXf3WyemB
— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
When comparing Worthy’s 40-yard dash record to that of the fastest runner in the world Usain Bolt, the young wide receiver did a pretty good job. For the ones wondering, Bolt ran a 40-meter sprint during the 2019 Super Bowl and finished it in 4.22 seconds, matching the then record by former Cleveland Browns WR John Ross III in 2017.
Just saw Usain Bolt tie the fastest NFL 40 yard dash with 4.22 #SBLIII
Wasn’t wearing running spikes either pic.twitter.com/Fv8fK2S9ZR
— simon crosse (@simoncrosse) February 2, 2019
Xavier was ahead in this race, but claiming he could beat Bolt is a stretch. The Jamaican sprinter wasn’t at his best and unprepared for the sprint as he ran in street clothes without spikes. The eight-time Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt retired in 2017. But, he still holds the world records for the fastest 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds) sprints which remains unbeaten to this day.
Is Xavier Worthy Faster than Christian Coleman?
It is possible Bolt didn’t give his all in the 40-yard dash in 2019, but Christian Coleman, another legendary sprinter, showed the difference between track speed and football speed in 2017. Coleman also joined in a 40-yard dash at the Volunteers football facilities and effortlessly broke the NFL Combine record with a time of 4.12 seconds. He outpaced Xavier Worthy by 0.09 seconds, showcasing his incredible speed.
A lot of talk about 40-yard dashes this weekend, so we asked the fastest man in the NCAA @__coleman to run one. pic.twitter.com/CpgWYvqnCI
— Tennessee Track & Field (@Vol_Track) May 1, 2017
On Friday, American sprinter Christian Coleman won the men’s 60m title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships with a world-leading time of 6.41 seconds. His teammate Noah Lyles secured silver in 6.44 seconds, while Ackeem Blake of Jamaica took bronze in 6.46 seconds. Moreover, Coleman also holds the unbeaten world record in the 60m men’s race with a time of 6.34 seconds, set in 2018.
