The Fred Kerley Story: City of Taylor unveils mural honoring its hometown Olympian

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Fred Kerley returned to his hometown of Taylor on Saturday morning, wearing a shirt that read, “To all the teachers who told me I wouldn’t amount to anything.”

Kerley made this bold statement, backed by his community in Taylor as they honored him with a dedication ceremony, unveiling a mural of him. The image now standing tall for everyone to see coming from a photo during his 100-meter race in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. That race would lead him to a world title.

Kerley said he’s grateful his city values him enough to honor him. Still, he chose to wear the shirt he did, because he said there were doubters along the way. Doubters who, he said, didn’t realize how special he was and is.

“This is for all the people that doubted me,” Kerley said. “I still get doubted in life. I guarantee everybody gets doubted in life. So, this is to show all my all haters that I’m here, and I’m going continue to be successful, with or without you.”

His honor and unveiling of the mural fall on the first weekend of Black History Month 2023. The mural is on the Ford Ground Storage Tank, right around the corner from where Kerley grew up, he told Reporter Jala Washington.

City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)

Kerley was a stand-out athlete in high school, playing football and basketball. This all while laying the groundwork for what would become his claim to fame—Track and Field.

Now, he’s one of the fastest men in the world.

In addition to his 2022 World Champion title, Kerley also won a Silver medal in the 100-meter during the 2022 Tokyo Olympic games. He’s now training for Paris 2024.

Artist Adam Davenport painted the mural. The City of Taylor said it was approached by a group who wanted to honor Kerley and his accomplishments.

From there, City Council approved the mural at its location in October 2022. The city also paid for it.

Kerley hopes he can inspire others, who don’t necessarily feel seen or supported growing up. His message to them is to keep pushing, he told Reporter Jala Washington.

His next race, kicking off his latest season is in Australia on Feb. 23. A City of Taylor official joked during the dedication ceremony, that this will be the only continent he’s yet to compete on.

 

City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural, honoring its hometown trailblazer. (KXAN photo/Jala Washington).
City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural, honoring its hometown trailblazer. (KXAN photo/Jala Washington).

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) — Fred Kerley returned to his hometown of Taylor on Saturday morning, wearing a shirt that read, “To all the teachers who told me I wouldn’t amount to anything.”

Kerley made this bold statement, backed by his community in Taylor as they honored him with a dedication ceremony, unveiling a mural of him. The image now standing tall for everyone to see coming from a photo during his 100-meter race in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. That race would lead him to a world title.

Kerley said he’s grateful his city values him enough to honor him. Still, he chose to wear the shirt he did, because he said there were doubters along the way. Doubters who, he said, didn’t realize how special he was and is.

“This is for all the people that doubted me,” Kerley said. “I still get doubted in life. I guarantee everybody gets doubted in life. So, this is to show all my all haters that I’m here, and I’m going continue to be successful, with or without you.”

His honor and unveiling of the mural fall on the first weekend of Black History Month 2023. The mural is on the Ford Ground Storage Tank, right around the corner from where Kerley grew up, he told Reporter Jala Washington.

City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes) City of Taylor unveils Fred Kerley mural (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)

Kerley was a stand-out athlete in high school, playing football and basketball. This all while laying the groundwork for what would become his claim to fame—Track and Field.

Now, he’s one of the fastest men in the world.

In addition to his 2022 World Champion title, Kerley also won a Silver medal in the 100-meter during the 2022 Tokyo Olympic games. He’s now training for Paris 2024.

Artist Adam Davenport painted the mural. The City of Taylor said it was approached by a group who wanted to honor Kerley and his accomplishments.

From there, City Council approved the mural at its location in October 2022. The city also paid for it.

Kerley hopes he can inspire others, who don’t necessarily feel seen or supported growing up. His message to them is to keep pushing, he told Reporter Jala Washington.

His next race, kicking off his latest season is in Australia on Feb. 23. A City of Taylor official joked during the dedication ceremony, that this will be the only continent he’s yet to compete on.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


5 party foods inspired by past Grammy nominees

/ 1 day ago

Themed food and drinks are a surefire way to make your party stand out, and looking at past Grammy nominees is a great way to get inspiration.


Love the Grammys? We have everything you’ll need …

/ 1 day ago

With Grammy night around the corner, here are some fun ways to embrace the theme, boost your entertainment and make your guests feel a part of the festivities.


Best NuFace product

/ 1 day ago

NuFace devices use low microcurrent voltage similar to natural electric currents in the body and are safe and painless on the skin.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


Suspected spy balloon shot down over Atlantic


Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID


A woman died after AFD fire rescue at south Austin …


Why do Texans eat pickles at movie theaters?


Gas line break causes road closures on Congress Avenue


Top Stories


More Stories


Insurance may reimburse for food lost during outages


Suspected spy balloon shot down over Atlantic


City of Taylor unveils mural of hometown Olympian


Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID


A woman died after AFD fire rescue at south Austin …


Gas line break causes road closures on Congress Avenue


Austin Energy ensures safety for workers fixing lines


Top Black-owned businesses to go to in Austin


More Stories

Austin-Travis County


Insurance may reimburse for food lost during outages

/ 3 mins ago


Gas line break causes road closures on Congress Avenue

/ 3 hours ago


Austin Energy ensures safety for workers fixing lines

/ 3 hours ago


A quiet weekend with warming temperatures

/ 6 mins ago


Where you can find resources due to ice storm

/ 18 hours ago


Schools across Austin cleaning up downed trees, branches …

/ 2 hours ago


Senior living facilities still without power

/ 19 hours ago


CapMetro cleared roads of debris while services down

/ 21 hours ago


ATCEMS: Crashes mostly at non-working traffic lights

/ 21 hours ago


Case dismissed against officer indicted after protest

/ 18 hours ago


How to see what traffic lights are out in Austin

/ 19 hours ago


Austin Energy ‘cautiously optimistic’ on restoration

/ 18 hours ago


Boil water notices for parts of Hays, Travis, Bastrop

/ 22 hours ago


10-car crash reported on US 183 in north Austin

/ 1 day ago


Why 4 Austin patients were flown out for CO poisoning

/ 21 hours ago


APD: Man dies from injuries after traffic incident

/ 1 day ago


Austin Energy customers want better communication

/ 2 days ago


How vegetation management plays into Austin outages

/ 2 days ago


Shots fired reported at Pflugerville shopping center

/ 20 hours ago


KXAN’s Jim Spencer reflects on historic ice storm

/ 2 days ago

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8363051" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list5" data-anvato-params=""ns":"id":"8363051","title":"State of Texas: Abbott names u2018Border Czaru2019 to lead border wall, security efforts","link":"https://www.kxan.com/video/state-of-texas-abbott-names-%e2%80%98border-czar%e2%80%99-to-lead-border-wall-security-efforts/8363051/","thumbnail":"src":"https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2","orientation":"landscape","proportional_sources":"16:9":"srcset":"https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 160w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 256w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 320w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 640w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 960w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 1280w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 1920w, https://h104216-dcdn.mp.lura.live/1/20005/pvw_lin/99E/843/99E843B4CFE4AC2008B5A500DF507ABF_1_160x90.jpg?aktaexp=2082787200&aktasgn=ac21ff662400f1f050437cd72ec7f5d2 2560w","sizes":"(max-width: 899px) 100%, 300px","date":"time":"19 mins ago","datetime":"2023-02-04T14:47:00-06:00","lead_media":true,"media_type_icon":"name":"video","label":"Video","vilynx_id":"LIN_8363051","mcp":"LIN","width":"100%","height":"100%","video":"8363051","autoplay":false,"expect_preroll":true,"pInstance":"p48","plugins":"comscore":"clientId":"6036439","c3":"kxan.com","version":"5.2.0","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"c3":"kxan.com","ns_st_st":"kxan","ns_st_pu":"Nexstar","ns_st_ge":"News,Local,Austin,Video,Local News,Video","cs_ucfr":"","dfp":"adTagUrl":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=1×1000&iu=/5678/lin.kxan/news/local/williamson_county&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vmap&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&description_url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/williamson-county/the-fred-kerley-story-city-of-taylor-unveils-mural-honoring-its-hometown-olympian/&cust_params=vid%3D8363051%26cmsid%3D1639747%26pid%3D1639747%26pers_cid%3Dnxs-40-article-1639747%26vidcat%3D/news/local/williamson_county%26bob_ck%3D[bob_ck_val]%26d_code%3D1%26pagetype%3Dstory%26hlmeta%3Dthe%20fred%20kerley%20story%20city%20of%20taylor%20unveils%20mural%20honoring%20its%20hometown%20olympian%26aa%3Df","nielsen":"apid":"P74D95DB2-9ACC-40E2-B3B5-7B9C65C50126","sfcode":"dcr","type":"dcr","apn":"Anvato","environment":"production","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"adloadtype":2,"adModel":2,"segmentCustom":"script":"https://segment.psg.nexstardigital.net/anvato.js","writeKey":"8Jlo8JuUyENFG8nvLkq1NuyT2CHRyOp7","pluginsLoadingTimeout":12,"expectPrerollTimeout":8,"accessKey":"gq261XAmw8b5xi69ku8hYmO1kyPmMBzn","token":"eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ2aWQiOiI4MzYzMDUxIiwiaXNzIjoiZ3EyNjFYQW13OGI1eGk2OWt1OGhZbU8xa3lQbU1Cem4iLCJleHAiOjE2NzU1NDgzNDF9.jZ1pp6OkWFrBcy_S-A1cp6hLDlPRM3BeJ3jK5NxdyFw","nxs":"mp4Url":"https://tkx.mp.lura.live/rest/v2/mcp/video/8363051?anvack=bvJ0dQpmRLZx7cMPeiW9U27gVRARwpPL&token=%7E5iu%2FcpMCbES%2BNStQYluhWbloGseZvo70MQ%3D%3D","enableFloatingPlayer":true,"disableMutedAutoplay":false,"recommendations":false,"expectPreroll":false,"titleVisible":false,"pauseOnClick":true,"trackTimePeriod":60,"isPermutiveEnabled":true
// –>


Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area

/ 1 day ago


Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas

/ 1 day ago


Coronavirus Cases Tracker

Austin Weather

Current

62°

Fair

Tonight

45°

Partly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Tomorrow

72°

Partly Cloudy

Precip: 0&percnt;

Trending Stories


LIVE UPDATE: Power out for thousands as ATX thaws


Why don’t we just bury the power lines?


Suspected spy balloon shot down over Atlantic


Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm


Who’s liable if neighbor’s tree falls in your yard?

Don’t Miss


Why don’t we just bury the power lines?


Radio signal detected from distant galaxy


TxDMV rejects vegan license plate for ‘vulgar’ phrase


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team