Fred Kerley, the American phenom, had been under fire from the track and field community lately for his second arrest in the last five months. That, and the fact that he had a slow start to the 2025 season, repeatedly getting smoked in track races, added to his misery. And the social media backlash. But looks like the man is finally ready to silence them all. He’s voiced a quiet yet powerful reminder of his resilience over the years. He is who he is because of a lot many factors, and Kerley just laid them out in the open!

Hardly anyone in the track community would be unaware that Fred Kerley’s Grand Slam Track Miramar outing ended up going south before he could even run. He was arrested for allegations revolving his ex-girlfriend, however, Kerley clarified it later that it was ‘misunderstanding’ that stirred up the entire controversy. He even said his apologies to the celebrity event and his fans, while assuring them that he’d soon ‘clear his name’ and be cognizant that ‘nothing like this happens again.’ But, once the name is tainted, it does take a while to clear out, isnt’t it? Amidst that, Kerley has now given people a fitting reminder that might help them in doing so.

On May 13, Fred Kerley added a post on X, reminding everyone who may have forgotten that,“I Am The Standard.” “Every medal I’ve earned carries more than weight – it carries pain, sacrifice, and a story the world will never fully understand,” he confessed with a hint of vulnerability peeking through. And continued, “I didn’t just show up- I arrived in a sport where greatness is expected and pressure is constant.” But Kerley proudly claims, “From the 400 to the 100, I didn’t follow the blueprint I broke it.” Well, that’s what he feels makes him the standard.

Fred Kerley also reminds that not every day as an athlete has been plain-sailing for him. “I took risks most athletes wouldn’t dare to, and still stood on the podium. Year after year.” He also took a probable dig at the critics who only see his failures, not his grit. “They don’t see the nights I ran through injuries, the days I trained in silence, the moments I carried doubt on my back but never let it slow my steps.” One race doesn’t define him he believes, because “Put me in the 100, 200, or 400 – I’ve done what legends chase their whole career.”

Well, Fred Kerley isn’t here by luck. And this season is enough proof for that. The 2-time Olympic medalist athlete had a patchy start to the season, but has bounced back and how, not losing a single gold since April 19. And not just in the 100m, but across categories like the 400 at the Mt. SAC Relays or the 4x400m relay at the Tom Jones memorial. In fact, after his 9.98s win at the Franson Last Chance event, he now ranks #6 on the 100m world lead list for 2025.

Thus, this might have just been the perfect time to remind the naysayers who downplay him, that, “I’am the standard. I am Fred Kerley. One of one.”  And looks like this confession had been a long time coming.

Fred Kerley had warned, this was about to drop

May 12, just a day before he dropped this, Fred Kerley had added another cryptic X post saying, “I’m going to paint yall a good picture.” Well, it now looks like he was talking about this. After a brilliant weekend outing with three sub-10s 100m timings, looks like Kerley’s back in the big picture.

So many of you might be wondering, what’s next for him? Well, it is likely possible that Fred Kerley returns to the Grand Slam Track for its next leg. He has been a constant in Michael Johnson’s celebrity events through Kingston nd maybe Miami (had things gone well). So he might as well show up in the next leg, but we await confirmations.Also, the Doha and other Diamond Leagues are on the card. Maybe Kerley throws in a race or two there. However, all of this is yet to be confirmed.

But one thing is sure. This time, wherever he runs, Fred Kerley will don a new confidence, a new attitude. What do you think? Let us know below!