Spirit of Memphis
Calkins: Meet Memphis’ secret Olympian
‘Jessica Ramsey could win the gold medal in shot put in Tokyo. She prepared for the challenge by (I swear) working at Insomnia Cookies on Beale Street.’
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 983 articles by Geoff Calkins :
-
July 2021
-
Premium
Spirit of Memphis -
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Why did the Grizzlies do it? To win a championship
Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman has always said the goal is to bring an NBA title to Memphis. And if that required dealing Jonas Valanciunas, he was willing to do it. Memphis fans should be glad.
-
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memphis football is flourishing — but will it matter in the end?
Memphis football is in the midst of a historic run. But will that be enough to save the program when realignment strikes again?
-
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Just don’t be surprised if Grizzlies draft shockers work out
The Grizzlies stunned the NBA universe twice Thursday night, first by taking Ziaire Williams at No. 10, then by taking Santi Aldama at No. 40. But given the team’s recent success in the draft, should we really be surprised if the Grizzlies hit on their picks?
-
-
August 2021
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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
-
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?
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.”
-
Premium
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?
-
Premium
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.
-
Update
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
-
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
-
Premium
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.
-
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.”
-
Premium
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.
-
opinion
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
-
September 2021
-
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.
-
Premium
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!
-