After being arrested for the second time in four months in Miami, Fred Kerley has earned the backing of sprint legend Justin Gatlin.
2022 100m world champion Fred Kerley may be facing turbulent times off the track, but one thing he has not lost is support from those who know him best. He has received backing from the track community, including from 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin.
Kerley, who won bronze at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, was reported to have been arrested for allegedly punching his former girlfriend and fellow athlete Alaysha Johnson in the face. Speaking on the Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin addressed the swirling rumors surrounding an altercation that allegedly occurred in Miami, just a day before the Grand Slam meet.
While details have been scarce and conflicting narratives abound, Gatlin urged the public to extend Kerley the grace to navigate the situation without premature judgment.
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“There’s a lot of different stories flying—this happened, that happened. Fred went crazy, Fred defended himself, punches were thrown, people got hit… I wasn’t there, and I know you weren’t there either,” Gatlin said. “That’s the part of the narrative that needs to be understood.”
Kerley has already addressed the situation through a public statement on social media, distancing himself from criminal wrongdoing and promising full transparency.
“He made it clear—‘Hey, he’s going to handle this. It’s not what you think it is,’” Gatlin explained. “He apologized to Grand Slam. He apologized to his fans. He wants to make sure everything is handled properly.”
Kerley’s statement was a plea for fairness in how athletes are treated during moments of personal crisis—something Gatlin echoed passionately.
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“In situations like this, we’ve got to give athletes some grace. You don’t know what they’re going through off the track—what’s going on in their mind or their heart.”
The former world champion’s recent form hasn’t matched the highs of his breakout 2022 season. Injuries, off-track incidents—including a reported police matter in January—and family challenges have all weighed heavily.
But despite the setbacks, Kerley’s inner circle remains convinced his commitment to the sport remains unwavering. That was illustrated during the Mount SAC Relays, where he obliterated the field to win the 400m event with a time of 44.7 seconds.
“You don’t just go out and run 44.7, win a race, and then the next day you’re out here knocking people’s heads off. That’s not the Fred I know.”
Recalling past conversations with Kerley, Gatlin highlighted the sprinter’s meticulous planning and strong sense of purpose.
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“Fred always had a strategy. He knew the consequences of his choices. I don’t think he’s about to mess up his bag or his legacy.”
As scrutiny mounts and speculation continues to swirl, the message from Gatlin was clear—Fred Kerley is going through a storm, but those closest to him believe he’s equipped to come out stronger on the other side.
“Stay strong, my boy. Stay strong.”