Calkins: Memphis and Fred Jones get the ‘Prime Time’ event they deserve
It’s Eddie George vs. Deion Sanders at the Liberty Bowl. Which is exactly the matchup that Fred Jones and the Southern Heritage Classic deserve.
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 1029 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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September 2021
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Memphis Tigers Basketball Calkins: There’s only one way for Memphis to respond to the Big 12 snub
Here’s what Geoff Calkins thinks Memphis should do in response to being left out again.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Hey, look, I’ve got mail (on race, realignment and the Big 12)
I wrote a column last week pondering whether race was a factor in Memphis being perpetually overlooked in realignment. As you can imagine, this went over well.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Seth Henigan looked ‘fantastic,’ for openers
Seth Henigan on Saturday became the first true freshman quarterback to start an opener for the Memphis Tigers. And the best part? He didn’t look anything like a true freshman.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: In a time of trial, Memphis football (and tailgating!) endures
The pandemic continues and conference realignment does not appear to be going well for the Memphis Tigers. But amid the gloom, there is reason to celebrate. Tiger tailgating is back!
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Is race a reason Memphis gets left out of realignment?
At a time when diversity is supposedly valued in education, you’d think Memphis would be an important addition to the Big 12. Instead, the conference is preparing to add BYU, where just 1% of the student body is Black.
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August 2021
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Yes, Penny Hardaway still wants all the smoke
The last time Penny Hardaway asked for all the smoke, it didn’t go so well. So is he taking a different approach this year? Not a chance.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ryan Silverfield not losing sleep over QBs — but you can!
Ryan Silverfield declined to name a starting QB heading into Saturday’s opener against Nicholls State. It’s not the first time that has happened at Memphis — but it’s not great.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: The best Southern ice fishing story you will ever read (guaranteed!)
David McCandless had caught at least one fish in 335 straight days. Then a historic snowstorm hit. The story of one Memphian’s quest to keep an unlikely streak alive.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: Jalen Rose says Memphis will play for the national title. (I say enjoy the ride.)
The key to Penny Hardaway’s success? It’s optimism. And if he really believes Memphis can win a national title, y’all should believe it, too.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Emoni Bates ends the drama — and begins the dreams
Emoni Bates put an end to a crazy day of recruiting by announcing he’ll be attending the University of Memphis. Could one kid possibly be worth such drama? In a word: Yes.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Emoni Bates is listed in the Memphis student directory! And, yes, this whole thing is (wonderfully) insane
Memphis fans discovered Wednesday that Emoni Bates is listed in the student directory. It’s the latest twist in a recruiting saga that has been understandably over the top.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Best way to honor Danton Barto is to get the shot that would’ve saved his life
Danton Barto, the all-time leading tackler in Memphis football history, has died of COVID-19. Before he died, he asked his wife to get vaccinated. The best way for Tigers fans to honor him would be to roll up their sleeves for No. 59.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Rasheed Wallace is yet another reason Emoni Bates should pick Memphis
On the day Emoni Bates began his official visit to Memphis, Rasheed Wallace became the newest member of Penny Hardaway. The presence of Wallace is just another reason Bates should pick the Tigers. But we went through them all.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Former Memphis great Danton Barto intubated and fighting for his life
Danton Barto, Memphis football’s all-time leading tackler, is in the hospital fighting COVID-19. He sent his wife, Shelly Beth, a text: “Get that shot for me.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Why Jalen Duren’s decision to attend Memphis could change everything
Yes, Penny Hardaway has landed big recruits before. But getting Jalen Duren is different. It could be the start of a glorious new era of Tigers basketball.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: After an unprecedented career, Kelso deserved better from CBHS
Maybe it was time for Buster Kelso to end his remarkable career as baseball coach. But he deserved one final year.
Related story: Buster Kelso forced out as Christian Brothers High coach
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High School SportsBuster Kelso forced out as Christian Brothers High coach
Buster Kelso is the all-time winningest high school baseball coach in the state. He was told to clean out his baseball office last week.
Related story: Calkins: After an unprecedented career, Kelso deserved better from CBHS
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: After a wild day at Southwind, Memphis gets a fitting champion
Bryson DeChambeau and Harris English collapsed. Abraham Ancer won in a playoff. And the last WGC in Memphis ended in stunning fashion.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s a magical moment in Memphis sports
Penny Hardaway has the No. 1 recruit in the country, the golf tournament has never been better, the Tigers football team has been to seven straight bowl games and Ja Morant calls FedExForum home. Has there ever been a more promising moment for Memphis sports?
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: Isaac Bruce, proud Tiger, carries Memphis into Hall of Fame
Isaac Bruce will become the first Memphis player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. He says his time at Memphis — a place he still loves — “helped make me who I am.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s a big day for Penny Hardaway and Memphis sports
At 5 p.m. Friday, a gifted center named Jalen Duren will announce his destination. If he picks Memphis, it could be the start of something big.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Bryson DeChambeau is unvaccinated, unrepentant — and delusional
Isn’t Bryson DeChambeau supposed to be smart? Then why is it, when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, he sounds like such a dummy?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Another win for Memphis, delivered by FedEx
Memphis is losing its World Golf Championship event after just three years. But never fear — it’s trading up.
Related story:
FedEx St. Jude tournament switches from WGC to playoff opener
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: After 46 straight years, a broken heart will keep Bob Winn from Memphis golf tournament
For 46 years, Bob Winn has volunteered in the media center at the Memphis golf tournament. This year, heart damage and a brain bleed will keep him away. What about the event inspires such loyalty? Hint: It’s not the golf.
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