Who is Fred Kerley?
When looking for athletes who have made their solid mark both on and off the track field, Fred Kerley stands out as a prime example. Considered one of the best sprinters in the world, Kerley’s journey from high school track athlete to multi-awarded world champion is nothing short of inspiring. Already set to join the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kerley’s sports spotlight is shining bright. Let’s look at the man behind the success and know more about his life, achievements, and net worth.
Early Life and Childhood
Born on May 7, 1995, Kerley grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where he was raised by his beloved aunt Virgina. Although he grew up in relative poverty, he was able to attend Taylor High School, where he joined a youth team known as the College Station Sprinters. Here, he displayed a remarkable aptitude for athletics, particularly sprinting. After graduating, he went to South Plains College before transferring to Texas A&M, where he maintained his dedication and hard work in track and field.
As an adult, beyond the track and celebrity status, Kerley maintains a relatively private personal life. He’s known to have a strong Christian faith, as he regularly attends church after practice. One of his cousins, Jeremy Kerley, was also an athlete, playing wide receiver in the NFL for the New York Jets. A current resident of South Florida, Kerley once shared with reporters from Essentially Sports that he hopes to move to Dubai once he earns enough. Although many speculate about his relationship status, Kerley is presently single.
Career Achievements
A living example of resilience, in 2016, Kerley tried out for the US Olympic team but didn’t make the cut. This experience didn’t deter him, though, as he went on to represent the country at the NACAC Under-23 Championships, where he and his 4 x 100 relay team won gold. From there, Kerley consistently delivered exemplary sports performances.
His athletic journey reached its first high point when he clinched his first sub-10 100-meter sprint at the TRUfit Classic in 2021. In the same year, he won the men’s 100-meter race at the Golden Spike in 9.96 seconds, running ahead of former Olympic and World champion Justin Gatlin. Kerley then focused his attention on the Olympic trials, where he ran his first sub-20 200-meter sprint.
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Soon after, he became both an Olympian and the third athlete to join the elite list for the “sub-10s, 20s, 44s club” for the 100m, 200m & 400m sprints. The only other two in this club are record-breaking sprinters Wayde van Niekerk & Michael Norman. When he participated in his first Olympic run at Tokyo, Kerley won silver in the 100-meter race with an astonishing time of 9.84 seconds. He also solidified his position as one of the fastest athletes on the planet, doing a clean sweep at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Beyond his impressive collection of medals and accolades, Kerley has caught the attention of global brands.
One of the most recent collaborations is with Oakley, a renowned eyewear brand. Known for its innovative and stylish sunglasses for both casual and sports use, Oakley is celebrated for its pioneering technology, lightweight materials, and outstanding eye protection. As a brand, they recognized Kerley’s exceptional talent that embodies their own values of peak athletic performance.
Kerley joined Team Oakley in 2023 alongside leading athletes like Kylian Mbappe. This collaboration also comes in recognition of Oakley being named Team USA’s official eyewear partner and the brand’s release of two new styles. These are the Team USA Encoder Strike Vented with Prizm Road Lenses and Team USA Heliostat with Prizm Black Lenses, the latter of which Kerley will wear on the track. Truly a rising star, Kerley was also recently chosen to endorse sports shoes from ASICS, which is known in elite track circles for their MetaSpeeder footwear.
Fred Kerley’s Net Worth
As of today, Kerley’s net worth reflects his remarkable achievements and endorsements. With the prize money he won in track and field, as well as his multiple-year partnerships with huge brands like Oakley and Asics, Kerley’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. However, the exact figure of his earnings is not known to the public. This substantial financial standing is a testament to his hard work, dedication. And the value he brings to the brands he collaborates with.
