Calkins: It might look a little different this year. But Memphis football is back.
As another season begins, everything is different about Memphis football. Except everything that matters.
Geoff Calkins
Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
There are 974 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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August 2022
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Geoff Calkins
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July 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: (Sky) walking in Memphis — as pole vaulters soar over Beale
The organizers of the Ed Murphey Classic got a burst of inspiration this year. How about bringing the pole vaulting competition to the people? It made for a wildly entertaining Saturday night on Beale Street.
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Memphis Tigers FootballCalkins: It’s Memphis football media day! So let’s talk ... Tiger hoops?
Thursday was media day for Memphis football! Until Memphis basketball broke in. Thoughts on the 2022 hoop schedule. And on Tiger football, too.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s not just a big year for Memphis football. It may be the biggest one yet.
The stakes have never been higher for Ryan Silverfield and Memphis football. Why 2022 will be one of the most important seasons in program history.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: A St. Jude survivor competed in the World Series of Poker — and cashed big
A former Memphian just won more than half a million dollars at the World Series of Poker. But the best part of his story? He’s alive because of St. Jude.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memphis and conference realignment. Is the dream officially dead?
For decades, now, University of Memphis fans have dreamed of making it into a power conference. Is that dream now officially dead? If so, what does the future hold?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: How one perfect drawing gave Ja Morant and a local artist exactly what was needed
Matt Terhune couldn’t get himself to pick up his pencil and start a new art project. Until he saw a photo of Morant with 2-year-old daughter Kaari. What followed is a story about Twitter, art, basketball and — this is the important part — love.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Why Ja Morant matters to Memphis even more than you think
Morant’s extension means he’ll be here when the Grizzlies and the city and county negotiate the guts of a new FedExForum lease. All of which makes him the most important Grizzly at the most important moment in the city’s NBA history. Just another reason to thank Ja.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: They’re just Memphis football tickets. But at the VA, they’ve changed lives.
Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield stopped by the Veterans Administration Medical Center Tuesday as part of “the sweetest, most meaningful ticket-distribution program you may know nothing about.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: He came to Memphis for Mike Tyson. He wound up as a dad of five.
Brian Young moved to Memphis to stage the Tyson-Lewis fight. It was a huge success. But what happened next might be the best part of the story. Without ever expecting it, Young became a dad of five.
Related story:
On Father’s Day, remembering what it means to have a stepdad by Eric Barnes
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Why Ja Morant calls Memphis ‘home’
Ja Morant didn’t just sign a rich new contract to stay with the Grizzlies. He committed to Memphis as “home.” That’s a credit to him and to the Grizzlies front office. Here’s how that came to pass.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: George Cates dreamed of this day. So play the Overton 9 — and smile!
George Cates won’t be here to see Friday’s official opening of the Overton Park 9. He died in a plane crash a year ago. But when you play the course, you’ll see his good work. And you’ll honor him with your smiles.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The secret of Ernest Withers (now in an important podcast)
Ernest Withers was an iconic civil rights photographer — and an FBI informant. A new podcast revisits the complicated, painful tale.
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June 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: On a lively draft night for Memphis, Ja Morant makes a big call.
The Grizzlies picked the players they really wanted Thursday night. It’s cool that one of them — Tennessee point guard Kennedy Chandler — happens to be from around here.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memphis golf tournament has something money can’t buy: St. Jude
“LIV Golf exists to whitewash murder and human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The FedEx St. Jude Championship raises money for St. Jude. Which side do you want to support? This really isn’t hard.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Elliot Perry is an inspiration — and an example of how to live a life
You’ll never guess where Elliot Perry is being honored Tuesday night. At the Museum of Modern Art, in New York. It’s the latest accomplishment for one of the greatest, humblest Memphians.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Frank Haith is a Tiger? Penny Hardaway strikes again.
Penny Hardaway has now added the former AAC Coach of the Year along with Kendric Davis (former AAC Player of the Year). That’s impressive work for the coach of a program facing possible NCAA sanctions. It speaks to Hardaway’s resilience, above all.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Kerrick Jackson is a critical hire for Memphis — and for baseball
Kerrick Jackson broke down Wednesday when he was asked what it meant to be one of just three Division 1 baseball coaches outside the HBCUs. Can he succeed at Memphis? All of baseball had better hope so.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: 20 years ago, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis — and the world — came to Memphis
Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson fought Lennox Lewis at The Pyramid. It was a defining moment for sports in Memphis. And it was a hell of a lot of fun.
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: Steve Spurrier goes way back with Memphis. And he remembers every win.
Steve Spurrier returned to Memphis on Sunday to accept the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s Distinguished Citizen Award. Some of his biggest triumphs involved Memphis. They may not be what you think.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: You’d never guess what’s on the menu at Penny Hardaway’s new restaurant
“There’s no telling if Penny Hardaway’s new restaurant will live up to expectations. But it should be better than Cal’s!”
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: The best dog in Memphis is gone. She wouldn’t want you to be sad.
Why is it so hard to say goodbye to our dogs? I asked Scott Morris, who is still saddened by the recent loss of Sidney, the best dog ever. He says the secret is love.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: Quinones’ shorts were teeny. His impact was not.
Lester Quinones is keeping his name in the NBA draft. But the guy sure had an impact at Memphis. He was a lot more than an air guitar and short shorts.
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May 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Happy ‘Mr. Bruce Day’ for those who celebrate. (Maybe all of us should.)
It was “Mr. Bruce Day” at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School Friday. And if you don’t know what that means, let me tell you. Because we all could use it today.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: What we learned about the Grizzlies’ future, as Ja and his teammates said goodbye
Ja Morant is going to sign his contract extension, Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones seem unlikely to return, and Steven Adams thinks “duckmaster” would be a fine thing to put in a Tinder profile. What we learned from the Grizzlies’ postseason news conferences.
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