Just two days before the highly anticipated Grand Slam Track Miami meet, Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley found himself at the center of controversy—again. On May 1, the American star was arrested for the second time this year, following a physical altercation at the Meet Hotel in Florida. The incident cast immediate doubt over his participation in the event. And by May 3, Grand Slam Track made it official: Fred Kerley would not compete. Slated to headline the men’s short sprint event on Day 3, Kerley was replaced by Brandon Hicklin, a last-minute substitution that left fans stunned and speculation swirling. But on May 4, just hours before the event he was meant to run, Fred Kerley broke his silence.

In a candid and lengthy statement, the Olympian addressed the situation head-on. “While there was a physical altercation, my arrest was not due to any criminal act,” Kerley explained. “Rather, it resulted from my decision to exercise remain silent until legal counsel was present. I chose not to speak to law enforcement without my attorney, and for that reason alone, I was booked.”

He continued by acknowledging the fallout from the incident, offering remorse to fans and organizers alike: “To my fans, especially those who came out to support me this weekend. I sincerely apologize. I am deeply grateful for your continued support and understanding.” Now, the words came for the Grand Slam Track. 

“I also extend my apologies to Grand Slam Track for bringing the wrong kind of attention to the event, and to those who believe in me and had to see the headlines,” the Olympian wrote.  However, in the meantime, he assured the fans and the organizers, including Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, of one thing. What was it? 

“This experience caught me off guard,” Kerley wrote in the heartfelt statement. “But I remain fully committed to clearing my name and cooperating with appropriate parties to resolve it. I take full responsibility for placing myself in a situation that allowed for this misunderstanding, and I am taking active steps to ensure nothing like this happens again,” Fred wrote. But behind the scenes, the legal stakes remain serious.

According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Kerley was arrested and booked on one count of battery. A civil citation was not issued, reportedly due to concerns over potential revictimization.  In a firm, his attorney, Richard L. Cooper, dismissed the accusations outright: “These allegations lack merit and the witnesses lack credibility. My client was attacked unprovoked, and in the scuffle, someone else was unintentionally harmed. It should be noted that the attacker also got arrested that day. We anticipate that Fred’s charges will be dismissed.”

While fans were left watching Brandon Hicklin fill Kerley’s lane in Miami, many are waiting to see how the legal process unfolds—and whether one of track and field’s biggest names can bounce back. And discussing his low moments this year, Fred Kerley has several. 

Fred Kerley has several low points in on- and off-court matters 

Fred Kerley’s 2025 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster—equal parts controversy, comeback, and crushing disappointment. Let’s look closely. 

It all began on the night of January 2, when the Olympic sprinter was arrested in Miami Beach after a confrontation with police near an active crime scene. Despite the cloud of legal trouble, Kerley made an impressive return to the track in March, clocking convincing performances that hinted at redemption. For a moment, it seemed the sprinter was back on track—literally and figuratively. But that momentum didn’t last.

In April, during the inaugural Kingston leg of the Grand Slam Track, Kerley faltered. In the men’s 100m, he crossed the line a disappointing seventh, posting a sluggish 10.30 seconds into a -1.3 headwind. Things improved slightly in the 200m, where he finished third in 20.39 seconds (+0.2), but it wasn’t enough to salvage his position in the league standings. As the points tallied, Kerley fell short of the top spot—and the coveted $100,000 prize that came with it.

For an athlete who once stood on the Olympic podium, it’s been a jarring descent from the spotlight. With a second arrest in May, everybody is left wondering!