Calkins: Jarmond Johnson died ‘a hero.’ Memphis Rox will soon reopen to spread his light.
Jarmond Johnson died a hero, according to officials at Memphis Rox. The celebrated climbing gym is preparing to reopen with a memorial climb in his name.
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 1032 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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July 2025
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Shane Young is leaving Memphis. But Memphis Inner City Rugby is changing lives for good.
Shane Young came to Memphis for the mountains. Hey, everyone makes mistakes. But he leaves a thriving MIRC.
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June 2025
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s the end of an era in Memphis. Here’s Sister Trudy to explain.
One hundred and forty-one years ago, the first Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived in Memphis. On Monday, the last one left town. But Sister Trudy Foster left behind a legacy — and some words to live by.
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Memphis Tigers Basketball Calkins: Stage four lung cancer can’t keep Joye Lee-McNelis from coaching (and winning!) 1,000th game
It may be the best story of this basketball postseason. And one of the hardest stories, too. The former Memphis women’s basketball coach went to astonishing lengths to be with her Southern Miss team through it all.
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SportsCalkins: Nobody can replace Fred Smith. (But he told us how to handle this, too.)
It’s impossible to imagine Memphis without Fred Smith. So what happens next?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja Morant stuck up for Memphis. Now, how about you?
Ja Morant took on ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and his misperceptions of Memphis. But Smith isn’t the only one talking trash.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Hope House is a Memphis success story. Why are its leaders so worried now?
When you hear about the country’s “social safety net,” this is it: Hope House. Multiplied by thousands of small, committed organizations in cities across America. Federal funding cuts have Hope House’s leaders worried about Memphis.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Why Santi Aldama asked a local kid to sing ‘Feliz Navidad.’ (It was for a good cause.)
Henry Douglas, age 8, decided to sing songs to generate contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So who should make a request? Santi Aldama, from Spain.
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May 2025
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Everyone loved Reggie Barnes — which is how he reshaped Memphis sports
Archie Manning said Reggie Barnes “had a gift for bringing people together.” For the better part of five decades, Barnes — who died Monday — used that gift to promote Memphis sports.
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: Jes Shea’s van exploded — with her in it. Here’s what she’s learned.
Jes Shea leaned down to light the cookstove in her Sprinter van. Then the world went “BOOM.”
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Memphis GrizzliesAsk the Memphian: Why is the Memphis NBA team named the Grizzlies? (There’s more to it than you think.)
You know the Memphis NBA team is named the Grizzlies because they moved from Vancouver. But why did the Vancouver team have that name?
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MusicCalkins: Incredibly, the Central High jazz band did it. They won the whole thing.
The Central High jazz band did it. They defeated bands from across the country — and around the world — to win the Essentially Ellington contest in New York. And, yes, there were many tears.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: An event to honor the John Calipari era in Memphis? It’s just time.
“John Calipari is game to return to Memphis this fall to play an exhibition game to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? That sounds like an fine idea. It’s just time.”
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Calipari’s Razorbacks working to schedule exhibition game in Memphis
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Central’s jazz band is playing Lincoln Center. And it’s thanks to y’all.
Ollie Liddell, the director of bands at Central High, wasn’t sure how his jazz band would get to the Essentially Ellington contest at Lincoln Center. Then Memphians came through for him.
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: Central High lights up the stage — and advances to finals in New York.
The Central High jazz band continued to blaze through New York, advancing to the finals of the Essentially Ellington contest. Said Ollie Liddell, the band’s director: “We play with the spirt of the city, man.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: He’s a combat veteran who used to think he was dumb. Now he’s graduating from Memphis — with honors.
Eric Daniels is a combat veteran who once failed sixth, seventh and eighth grades. He’s also one of 2,759 students who will receive a diploma from the University of Memphis Saturday.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: RFK said kids with autism will never hold a job? Don’t tell this Memphian.
Kim Jameson is a Memphian who founded a program at Christian Brothers University to help people with autism succeed not just at college but in life.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: On Clayborn Temple’s final day, shaken Memphians came to pay their respects
The city can feel like it’s in crisis. The country can feel like it’s in crisis. And Monday, we all woke up to the news that Clayborn Temple had burned down.
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April 2025
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja went high and they went low. That’s how a magnificent night fell apart.
It was going to be a magnificent night for Memphis. Then Ja Morant and the Grizzlies crashed to the earth.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: You don’t have to believe in the Grizzlies’ chances. Just believe in yourselves.
The Thunder absolutely destroyed the Grizzlies in Games 1 and 2. So what reason is there to believe in Memphis? I’m glad you asked.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja Morant lifts Grizzlies over Mavs and into playoffs
When Ja Morant sprang off his bum ankle to slam the ball home against the Mavericks on Friday night, it wasn’t just a dunk — it was an unmistakable statement of intent.
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Memphis GrizzliesMemphians should absolutely pull for the Grizzlies to win Friday. Right?!?
Memphis NBA fans are facing an unprecedented dilemma Friday: Is it better if the Grizzlies win or lose?
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Herrington: Grizzlies have at least one game left, but may have already taken the loss
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: How can the Grizzlies save the season? Just beat the hated Warriors.
The Grizzlies have a massive opportunity when they meet the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night. Now all they have to do is win.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: No, this is not what Grizzlies fans wanted. But here’s where to find hope.
No, the Grizzlies didn’t want to be playing the Warriors in a play-in game. But if you looked around FedExForum Sunday, there was plenty of hope.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Morant should lay down his (fake) weapons. But it’s the NBA that misfired.
Ja Morant likes to cast himself as a victim far too often. But in the great — OK, ridiculous — finger-gun controversy of 2025? He may have a point.
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