Fred Kerley’s never one to hold back! After being caught up in the Vernon Norwood controversy, he’s back in the headlines. Now it’s Rai Benjamin this time. In just three short years, Rai has transformed from a standout high school sprinter to one of the world’s top track athletes, even taking aim at a world record that’s older than he is. Recently, Rai was feeling confident and took to X to retweet a cheeky post saying, “Best dressed in the field.” It looks like he’s not only blazing trails on the track but also setting style trends!

It might be about the New York Giants, who are getting ready for an electrifying 2024 season with a roster brimming with young talent eager to outshine their 2023 performance. In a heartwarming gesture, the team honored Olympic track and field star Rai Benjamin with their No. 1 jersey before the season kicked off. Rai, hailing from Mount Vernon, New York, dazzled at the Paris 2024 Olympics by clinching gold in the 400-meter hurdles and contributing to Team USA’s 4×400 relay victory.

This gesture comes on the heels of the Giants’ recent decision to retire their No. 1 jersey in honor of rising rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. Rai Benjamin, deeply touched by the Giants’ recognition, expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the immense pressure and high expectations that elite athletes face. “I know what it’s like to be in that position,” he said. It’s clear that Benjamin might be cheering even louder for the Giants this season.

However, Benjamin’s comment sparked a reaction from Fred, who responded with a blunt “Naw son.” Benjamin, not one to shy away, chose his words carefully in response, keeping Fred on his toes with a reply that left everyone guessing.

Rai Benjamin replied with a playful jab, saying, “Sorry brudda but you gotta sit this one out 😂😂🤝🏾.. you just got on tho.” It seems he’s teasing Fred about his recent Nike endorsement, given that Rai has been a Nike star since 2018, while Fred only signed his contract a few months ago. It’s a lighthearted dig at Fred’s newer status with Nike. Just as Fred loves to tease others, as he did with Vernon Norwood, Rai’s comment shows he’s not afraid to dish out a little playful ribbing of his own.

The Fred Kerley vs. Vernon Norwood showdown

The rivalry between Fred Kerley and Vernon Norwood has been a major talking point in the track and field world. Kerley, who initially made waves in the 400m, shifted his focus to the 100m and 200m sprints, where he achieved impressive success. This transition sparked a pointed jab from Norwood, who remarked, “When I started running faster, you notice he stepped down to the 100m. That’s all you needed to know.” Kerley quickly fired back, saying, “I drop 43 on your head,” referencing his blistering 43.64s in the 400m, a notable gap from Norwood’s best time of 44.10s.

Recently, the rivalry took a new twist when Kerley taunted Norwood on social media, saying, “@Vernon400m you got lucky this year see you next year.” This sparked a playful response from rising star Letsile Tebogo, who cheekily asked, “Can I be in?” Kerley replied with a casual “Easy,” adding an unexpected layer to the drama. It looks like these playful banters are set to continue as long as Fred is in the mix!