'I don’t even know how to play poker' – Noah Lyles makes shocking $1.6 million confession

'I don’t even know how to play poker' – Noah Lyles makes shocking $1.6 million confession

Festus Chuma 10:52 - 19.11.2024

Olympic champion Noah Lyles reveals turning down a $1.6 million poker offer while showcasing focus, discipline and unmatched speed.

American sprint star Noah Lyles continues to capture headlines with his electrifying on-track performances and charismatic off-track stories.

Training in Las Vegas with his coach Lance Brauman, Lyles is determined to stay ahead of the curve as he prepares for upcoming track seasons.

While fans have grown used to seeing him dominate the track, his recent revelation about turning down a $1.6 million poker tournament offer has left many stunned.

In a candid moment during one of his training sessions, Lyles shared a surprising story involving two-time Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn.

“But yeah, he called me out,” Lyles said, narrating the unexpected encounter.

“He was like, ‘Oh, I can get you into this poker tournament where they got, like, a $1.6 million prize.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t even know how to play poker.’”

The invitation came shortly after Lyles attended a Travis Scott concert, leaving him too exhausted to consider Penn’s proposal seriously.

Although tempted by the staggering prize, the Olympic champion ultimately declined, citing his lack of poker skills and financial prudence.

“What if I go in there? That’s an instant loss. I just threw away money. At that point, I’d just say, ‘Here, I’m all in.’ It’s like, you know you got a bad hand. I have no idea what I have… ‘Yeah, I’m not a gambler,’” he admitted.

The decision to avoid Penn’s poker table was a deliberate move to safeguard his hard-earned wealth.

However, Lyles is not one to shy away from a challenge.

Recently, the sprinting sensation took on a surprising opponent—YouTuber IShowSpeed—in a 50-meter dash for a hefty $100,000 prize.

The event, orchestrated by popular content creator MrBeast, saw Lyles prove why he is a reigning Olympic champion.

The race, while lighthearted, showcased Speed’s grit as he managed to keep up with Lyles for much of the sprint.

At one point, Speed even led the race, but Lyles’ trademark acceleration in the final stretch sealed his victory.

“It was closer than I expected, honestly,” Lyles commented, smiling as he pocketed his prize money.

Despite losing, Speed turned the moment into an opportunity to learn, asking Lyles for tips on improving his speed.

The sprinter graciously offered some advice and even teased a potential rematch over 100 meters in the future.

With the 2025 World Championships looming the sprint star is gearing up to maintain his dominance.

Fans can expect more electrifying performances as Lyles continues to chase not just gold medals but moments that leave a lasting impression.

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