They weren’t supposed to be the stars of the show. Tia Jones, still bruised from a narrow Olympic miss from 2024, a brutal breakup, and a highly publicized legal drama, had quietly arrived as a late addition to Michael Johnson’s famed league as a challenger along with fellow American, Dylan Beard. Jones, however, wasn’t the only one who had battled intense turmoil in her personal life before arriving at Kingston. Olympic medalist Fred Kerley was climbing his way out of a very public fall. A January altercation with the Miami police and the released bodycam footage showed Kerley in a confrontation with law enforcement. What’s more, the Olympian was also slapped with charges of battery and disorderly conduct. After such happenings, a redemption couldn’t be too far-fetched.
What followed on the track wasn’t just a response. It was a revival. Jones lined up for the 100m hurdles with the weight of heartbreak, injury, and expectation on her shoulders. When she crossed the finish line in a world-leading 12.63 seconds, she didn’t just silence the doubts. She rewrote the narrative. And Fred? He roared back into contention the very next day, clocking a solid 20.39 in the 200m for third, proving that a stumble in one race doesn’t mean the story’s over. After an underwhelming start to the season, this is exactly what Kerley needed.
Raes Take TV took to X with raw words that captured what many in the track community were feeling but hadn’t yet said aloud, Man, s/o to Fred and Tia. They’re really dealing with real-life issues off the track in the legal system and still showing up to the track…” And they weren’t exaggerating. Tia Jones has been through the wringer this past year. From heartbreak and betrayal to an ACL tear that shattered her Olympic dreams. The fallout with Xavier Worthy wasn’t just emotional. It turned into a legal saga that left both parties bruised, physically and publicly. However, in Kingston, Jones didn’t run like someone trying to prove a point. She ran like someone reclaiming her power.
Man s/o to Fred and Tia. They really dealing with real life issues off the track in the legal system and still showing up to the track. Both dealing with lies from the people they said they loved only for both people to try and destroy what they built for not only themselves but…
— Raes Take TV (@RaesTake) April 11, 2025
Fred Kerley’s story is no less turbulent. Besides the Miami Police drama, there were also serious legal issues that he had to battle in relation to his wife. Moreover, at his debut run of the season at the Trojan Invite, the famed Olympian ran 100m in 10.23s. Underwhelming to say the best. His GST performance was precisely what the Texas native needed; while it was not his best run of all time, it was enough. Moreover, it was a testimony to his perseverance: even with the legal system looming, court visits stacking up, and the internet poised to cancel him, he showed up. No excuses. No PR spin.
Kerley and Jones’ is the kind of resilience that’s rare, especially in a world that demands perfection from athletes while offering very little grace when they falter. “To be able to deal with all that… and still show up to race. They got my respect because a lot of you all would have folded by now.” And that’s the truth. Most would’ve folded. But Fred and Tia? They sprinted right through the storm.
Tia Jones and Fred Kerley are running with purpose
Tia Jones isn’t just running races. She’s running with a purpose. Her comeback in Kingston was more than a time on the clock; it was a spiritual declaration. “I do this for God. I am running under the testimony of Jesus himself,” she said with unwavering conviction. That kind of mindset, the clarity to focus, the courage to block out the noise. For Tia, it’s about channeling her energy into every hurdle, knowing that her faith is what steadies her stride.
Even when the world throws its worst, she doesn’t flinch. She walks, as she puts it, with her faith. “A lot of people don’t understand how hard it is to go through things that you go through outside of track and field and still step on the track and do what you have to do. But you know, I just put all my faith into God. I’m walking.” Fred Kerley, meanwhile, has embraced gratitude and momentum.
On April 11, just days after his bounce-back performance in Kingston, he took to X with a heartfelt nod to the event. “Blessing collects money and lives a little bit @GrandSlamTrack as an athlete; we appreciate you guys; we definitely enjoy this weekend with 2 races.” It was more than a thank-you. It was a reset. A sign that, despite the chaos, the Olympic medalist is finding his rhythm again. And Grand Slam Track took notice. Steve Gara, the league’s president, replied to Kerley’s post with a teasing promise, “Can’t wait to see @fkerley99 in three weeks.” Kerley’s answer? Just two words, but full of intent. “Yessir greatness.”
So now, all eyes turn to Miami. With just 20 days to go, it’s all but confirmed that Fred Kerley is suiting up for the next leg of the Grand Slam Track. And after what we witnessed in Kingston, that’s a tantalizing prospect. Both Kerley and Jones are no longer just athletes returning to form. They’re symbols of resilience, racing not just for medals but for meaning.
The post Struggling Against Personal Issues Fred Kerley and Tia Jones Labeled Similar After Fighting Comeback appeared first on EssentiallySports.