When May kicked it, it felt like the second leg of the Grand Slam Track would finally be the road to redemption for Fred Kerley. It seemed that the 2022 world champion in the 100m would reclaim his throne. With him finishing seventh in the Kingston edition, Miami was about to be where things would be better. Until it wasn’t. Kerley was reportedly arrested based on an alleged altercation with his ex-girlfriend Alaysha Johnson at the team hotel. Kerley has since apologized to his fans, and now he’s got more support as Justin Gatlin enters the conversation.

Now, Kerley had already confirmed that there was an altercation, but he had denied criminal wrongdoing, blaming miscommunication and invoking his right to legal counsel. He apologized to fans and the Grand Slam Track community, vowing to “clear his name” and “ensure nothing like this happens again.” Justin Gatlin addressed Fred Kerley’s recent arrest at the $30 million Grand Slam Track event in Miami, offering perspective amid swirling theories during his podcast on the Ready Set Go Podcast.

“We’ve got one more really big topic to talk about, and that’s Fred Kerley,” Gatlin began, acknowledging the incident that forced the 2022 world champion’s withdrawal from competition following the mishap. With rumors spreading rapidly through the track community, Gatlin emphasized caution: “A lot of different stories are flying. This happened, and that happened. Fred went crazy. Fred defended himself. Punches were thrown. People got hit. I wasn’t there. I don’t know… So, you don’t know.”

The police report indicated Johnson suffered a bleeding nose consistent with her account, while Kerley maintained his innocence after being released on $1,000 bond with a no-contact order. “Fred came out with an announcement on his social media, and he made a statement saying, ‘Hey, he’s going to handle this and it’s not what you think it is.‘” Gatlin noted, referencing Kerley’s public statement where he vowed “to show that he’s not in a criminal act” while apologizing to both the league and fans.

This marks Kerley’s second legal trouble in 2025, following a January incident where Miami Beach police tased the sprinter, and body cam footage showed officers restraining him on the ground. He was later booked into the Miami Beach jail, and the following day, custody was transferred to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office—context Gatlin acknowledged.

“Fred had a rocky season last year and this year, right? So far, um, with, I don’t even think last year, I guess. But if we want to say things away from the track, then obviously, with the police situation, I think that was in January or something like that. And then dealing with this situation and the family situation. I think that people need time to kind of decompress, find themselves again, and become whole,” he said.

What stands out in Gatlin’s assessment is his belief in Kerley’s character: “You don’t go out and run 44-7, go out and win a race, and then the next thing you know, you’re out here just knocking people’s heads off. I don’t believe that’s how Fred operates.”

Will Fred Kerley participate in future Grand Slam Track events?

Honestly, that’s the big question right now. After placing fourth at the Jamaica leg of the Grand Slam Track series—earning a tidy $25,000—Fred Kerley seemed on track for a strong run across the rest of the season. But that momentum hit a wall in Miami. “Fred Kerley was arrested last night. The matter is under active investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Fred will not compete this weekend. We have no further comment at this time,” the statement said, as quoted by SPORTSMAX.

As far as when he’ll compete in the upcoming stops in Philadelphia (May 30–June 1) or Los Angeles (June 27–29), organizers haven’t confirmed yet. Until there’s more clarity, all eyes are on what comes next for Kerley.