Geoff Calkins
Calkins: Fifteen years later, Derrick Rose is back in Memphis — as a better version of himself
After 15 years, Derrick Rose is returning to Memphis as “a different Derrick.” But can this version rub off on Ja Morant?
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 976 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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October 2023
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Rendezvous is 75! There’s a lesson in that for Memphians.
The Rendezvous opened 75 years ago. Its success is a lesson in determination, authenticity — and putting down stakes (or ribs!) where you are. So have a cheese and sausage plate to celebrate. It’s a Memphis ribiversary!
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: A new mayor and a new dog, too? Things are looking up!
Paul Young will be the new mayor of Memphis. And you should feel optimistic about that. Yes, optimistic. It may have gone out of fashion. But Young just might bring it back.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Rocks, alligators and umbrellas. The continuing saga of Ja Morant.
The most important part of ESPN’s story on Ja Morant isn’t anything in the story. It’s the impact it could have on Morant. A column about alligators, rocks and umbrellas — and what they all may mean.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: He was held up at gunpoint — and he can’t imagine working anywhere else.
“There is a lot of negative press about this city. But there’s good stuff happening, every day,” says Cody Behles, director of innovation and research support at the University of Memphis.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Yep, the Grizzlies lost another opener. But you should have seen the happy tears.
Sure, the home team lost another opener. But there were actual happy tears at the game. Why? Because the Memphis Grizzlies are back for their 23rd year.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: She’s 107. She still lives alone. The secret? It’s not what you think.
Martha McAnespie celebrated her 107th birthday over the weekend. Yes, her 107th. And she still lives alone. The Daily Memphian got her story and her secret, too. It’s not what you might think.
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November 2023
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: These Tigers will be awesome! (And it better be soon).
The Memphis Tigers have loads of talent. They showed it again as they opened their season with a 94-77 win over Jackson State. Now all the Tigers have to do is mold that talent into an elite team. By Friday, would be best.
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Geoff CalkinsHow a young doctor came to love Memphis and St. Jude. And, along the way, changed the world.
Dr. Justin Baker never intended to stay nearly 20 years in Memphis. But he came to love both the city and his work at St. Jude Children’s Research hospital. Now he’s is leaving for Stanford — but not before sharing some lessons he learned along the way.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: How Brooks Monaghan built a women’s soccer power in Memphis — and what it can teach the rest of us
The University of Memphis women’s soccer program isn’t just the most successful athletic program at the university — it’s one of the most successful organizations in the city, period. How did head coach Brooks Monaghan do it? And what lessons can the rest of us learn?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Fred Smith and family ride to the rescue (with $50 million) to forge a stunning stadium deal
“Who put an end to the stadium fracas? Fred Smith and family, of course.”
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FedEx founder to help fund Liberty Stadium renovations; U of M could control stadium
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Wait, why all the fuss about streamers? On a strangely wonderful night for the Grizz.
The Grizzlies won a home game for the first time in 218 days Wednesday. So when the streamers fell, people scrambled to collect them as if they had never seen them before. On a night of joy and relief at FedExForum. Which will just have to do, for now.
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December 2023
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Mike Norvell got shafted by the system? Memphis knows exactly how he feels.
“Mike Norvell and Florida State got left out? Memphis fans understand how that feels. The entire system of college sports is based on leaving universities out, no matter how deserving. Fairness has nothing to do with it.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Worry about the Liberty Bowl? Nah. But about that new deal for the Grizzlies ...
Save your fretting for the Grizzlies. That’s where there is work to be done.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Will Ja win in court? Is a basketball a lethal weapon? Also, what in the world is going on?
It was a wild day in court for Ja Morant Monday. But it doesn’t matter if Morant wins or loses. This is a sideshow. The real show starts next Tuesday, when Morant makes his return.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Morant says he’s been ‘counting the days’ — just like the rest of us
Ja Morant spoke to the media Friday. It wasn’t some raw apology press conference. But he said all the right things. He said he is learning to “protect his peace.” If the man can do that, good things will surely follow.
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Grizzlies Podcast Grizzlies podcast: Brooks boos, Morant in court and on court
Drew Hill and Chris Herrington wonder if Dillon Brooks should be booed in his return to Memphis, and Geoff Calkins joins to discuss the civil lawsuit against Ja Morant.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Only in the movies and in Memphis? It was that kind of night for Morant.
Yes, Ja Morant really did that. He really did score 34 points — and the winning bucket — in his return to NBA basketball. It was a night already part of Grizzlies lore. And it should give Memphians real hope.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja Morant is back — and the Grizzlies are, too
Ja Morant was back at FedExForum Thursday. But you know what else was back? Fun! It suddenly seems like a whole new season for the Grizzlies. And in this season, the Grizzlies are a perfect 2-0.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: A story about best friends, marching bands, W.C. Handy — and the Liberty Bowl
Will Plenk and Christian Carichner were once college roommates. Friday, they’ll be directing the Memphis and Iowa State marching bands at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s a story about life, about friendship — and about tubas.
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January 2024
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The new mayor offers ‘hope.’ And, yes, that’s a start.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young offered fresh “hope” at his swearing-in ceremony. And while that won’t solve the city’s many problems, it is at least a good start.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Morant is done for the season — and all of Memphis is blue
Ja Morant is out for the season and Grizzlies fans are mourning a year that just keeps getting worse. As one Memphian put it, succinctly: “I give up.”
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SportsCalkins: Laird Veatch on the stadium, the future, realignment — and the Smith family gift
Laird Veatch, the University of Memphis athletic director, is finally getting his hands on a football stadium and $120 million. Now all he has to do is raise another $50 million and figure out how to rebuild his new stadium on the fly.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Skiing in Memphis — and other scenes from coldest MLK Day in history
The guy who was skiing through Downtown Monday? We found him. Here’s his story and more scenes from the coldest MLK Day in Memphis since it became a federal holiday.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Tigers lost and the fans stayed home. But that wasn’t the worst part.
On a cold and miserable night — a night when fans were urged to stay home — the Tigers blew a 20-point lead to lose to South Florida. And then Penny Hardaway hinted at ominous chemistry issues within the team.
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