CINCINNATI -- If you want to know who's the Queen City's speed king, Marvin Lewis says don't hold your breath.
Billy Hamilton, one of the fastest players in Cincinnati Reds history, challenged John Ross, the Bengals’ blazing-fast draft pick, to race in a 40-yard dash for charity. Hamilton said he hasn’t raced in a long time but was excited about the challenge.
“It’s something I would like to … just to see where I would be at compared to those guys,” Hamilton said. “I know those guys are really fast, but it’s something that I can look forward to in the future, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Racing Ross would be a challenge for anyone; the wide receiver broke the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine with a time of 4.22.
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
JOHN ROSS!!!! @UW_Football WR @WatchJRoss runs 4.22u 40-yard dash.(cc: @chrisjohnson28) https://t.co/kkeUVDIMeQ
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2017
The Bengals, attracted to Ross’ explosive speed, drafted him in the first round on April 27.
MORE: Bengals draft explosive receiver John Ross of Washington in first round of NFL Draft
Hamilton seemed excited to share his turf with another speedster.
I see you @WatchJRoss welcome to the city homie #whodey @Bengals
— Billy Hamilton (@BillyHamilton) April 28, 2017
But Lewis, the Bengals head coach, said fans shouldn't count on a race: Ross isn't a circus act, he said.
"It'd be awesome to do that, we probably could work out something... but right now, I'm just focused on being a Bengal," Ross said. "But if we want to do something later for charity, that'd be awesome."
Hamilton broke a record of his own Thursday when he stole his 200th base in the Reds’ 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Big congrats to the man @BillyHamilton for his 200th career stolen bag... many many more to come! #BestInTheLeague
— Rookie Davis (@rookdavis24) May 4, 2017
