'Soft'- Fred Kerley slams current era athletes for lacking spine

Fred Kerley had a 2024 season to be proud highlighted by winning the Olympic 100m bronze medal

'Soft'- Fred Kerley slams current era athletes for lacking spine

Stephen Awino 16:15 - 19.11.2024

American Olympian Fred Kerley has hit criticized the current generation of athletes for being 'soft'.

Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on the state of modern track and field, labeling today's athletes as part of a 'soft era'.

Known for his unfiltered opinions, Kerley took to Twitter to voice his dissatisfaction with the current culture in the sport, echoing sentiments expressed by Jamaican sprinter Steven Gayle.

The exchange began when Gayle reminisced about the more intense nature of past track and field events, citing an altercation during an LSU track meet as an example.

“Good times. Track has changed so much,” Gayle tweeted, reflecting on what he perceived as a grittier and more competitive past.

Kerley responded in agreement, writing, “So much soft era now.”

His comment has sparked a debate within the track and field community, with some agreeing that the sport has lost its edge, while others defend the evolution of the discipline as a sign of progress.

"Bruh our years was what real SEC was.. new kids soft," responded one X user while another chimed in saying, "No unc, they’ll kick us out of school if fight like this now."

Kerley, known for his bold personality on and off the track, has a history of making controversial statements, and this latest critique has reignited discussions about the pressures and expectations placed on modern athletes.

While some view his remarks as a call to toughen up, others see them as dismissive of the achievements and challenges faced by today’s competitors.