Calkins: An unforgettable ‘GameDay’ in Memphis
Memphis wrestler Jerry Lawler reacts as "ESPN College GameDay" host Lee Corso dons the mascot head of SMU, picking the Mustangs over the Tigers for Saturday night's matchup between the two nationally ranked AAC teams. The network broadcast "GameDay" live from Beale Street on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Downtown Memphis was teeming with college football fans during the broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" live from Beale Street on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head football coach Mike Norvell (left) takes the stage with host Tom Rinaldi during the broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" live from Beale Street on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Downtown Memphis was teeming with college football fans during the broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" live from Beale Street on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis wrestler Jerry Lawler (left) reacts as ESPN's "College GameDay" host Lee Corso tosses the Pouncer mascot, picking the Mustangs over the Tigers for Saturday night's matchup between the two nationally ranked AAC teams. The network broadcast "GameDay" live from Beale Street on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
GameDay host Lee Corso embraces the University of Memphis helmet as Tigers football fans pack Beale Street during the live broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head basketball coach Penny Hardaway (center) and his team get an ovation from Tigers football fans packed onto Beale Street during the live broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tigers football fans cheer for the cameras during the live broadcast on Beale Street of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Host Desmond Howard jokes around on a commercial break as Tigers football fans pack Beale Street during the live broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Kids watch the festivities from the second floor of the Rum Boogie Cafe as Tigers football fans pack Beale Street during the live broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis wrestler Jerry Lawler (left) and ESPN's "College GameDay" host Lee Corso don their Memphis finery for the finale of the the live network broadcast of "GameDay" from Beale Street on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
A Memphis cheerleader performs for the crowd in the early morning as Tigers football fans pack Beale Street during the live broadcast of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tigers football fans cheer for the cameras during the live broadcast on Beale Street of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tigers football fans cheer for the cameras during the live broadcast on Beale Street of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Tigers football fans cheer for the cameras during the live broadcast on Beale Street of ESPN's "College GameDay" on Nov. 2, 2019. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
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.
"GameDay" came to Beale Street Saturday. It was a once-in-a-lifetime show.
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