“Adam Clay was always the fat guy. He endured all the humiliations that went along with that. So how did Clay finally lose 100 pounds? With a regular diet of pickleball.”

The University of Memphis has identified a pool of candidates to interview for the job of athletic director. Among the questions those candidates will be asking: What’s up with Penny Hardaway? 

“Nobody believed Jerry West would take a job with the Grizzlies. He was too famous, too big, for this town. But West never thought that.”

Related story:

Jerry West, a 3-time Hall of Fame selection and the NBA logo, dies at 86

A group of Crosstown High students painted a beautiful mural that said, “We can do better.” Within weeks, the mural was vandalized. So how did they respond? By doing better. 

Ted Townsend had to answer some questions about Elon Musk and xAI on Sunday. And he couldn’t very well duck them. They were from his mom.

It was Mayor Paul Young vs. Mayor Lee Harris on the basketball court Saturday. And it was not always a pretty sight. But the impulse behind it was beautiful. Isn’t that what really counts?

Superlo is celebrating its 80th anniversary this summer. In recognition of this moment, we attempted to discover why Memphians are so crazy about this grocery store. The answer? It isn’t just the fried chicken. (But the fried chicken doesn’t hurt). 

For years, Memphis has competed at the highest level in college sports. That is in jeopardy now. The NCAA and the Power 5 have agreed that Power 5 schools can pay roughly $20 million a year in direct payments to college athletes. How is a school like Memphis supposed to compete?

Related story:

NCAA, Power 5 leagues sign off on plan that includes paying athletes

The YMCA needs lifeguards. The football-playing kids at PURE Academy need to learn how to swim. The two organizations hit on a creative way to solve both problems. And it’s already making quite a splash.

Mack Weaver, the new president and CEO of Memphis in May, was asked about “the competition” in BBQ contests this year. “There’s another contest going on?” he deadpanned. Yes, Memphis, there certainly is.

Hazel Moore could have styled hair, taken care of her children and decided that was enough. Instead, she looked around, noticed things in the community needed doing — and figured she might as well do them herself.

Two decades ago, Gabrielle Rose walked away from swimming in disappointment. Now, at 46, she’s the oldest swimmer on record to ever qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials. 

Lemmonds has a brain tumor and no health care. Why is she telling her story? “Someone reading this is going to get hit ... by a diagnosis that is going to bankrupt them,” she said.

In Munford, they knew Joseph “Rusty” McKinney as an Eagle Scout and a band kid. Saturday, the town honored him by assembling at the football stadium to form a giant, solemn M.

Mayor Paul Young had a direct request for Memphis Tuesday: Don’t leave. Here’s why he made the request. And why it made a lot of sense. 

After nearly four decades, Memphis theater producer Mike Detroit found a full brother he never knew existed. It’s a mystery that could be a miniseries. But even Detroit warns: “There are parts you may not believe.”

The Core Four will be back together to celebrate Marc Gasol at FedExForum Saturday night. But this celebration will be different than all the others. Because Gasol’s story is the story of a franchise, a city and a family, all wrapped up in one.

Related story:

Marc Gasol hints at potential ‘Core Four’ reunion, muses on Memphis in return

Harold Goldbrandsen celebrated his 80th birthday at the Chuck E. Cheese in Cordova. Why? Because he created Chuck E. Cheese. And his daughter thought it was about time he had a birthday extravaganza at the place. 

Every March 21, Josh Greer walks all over Memphis from daybreak to dusk. Here’s why he does it and what we can learn from his annual trek.

“Memphis basketball was left out again on Selection Sunday. It better not happen next year. Not if Memphis basketball is going to continue to be a dominant force in this city — or if Penny Hardaway is going to continue as the head coach.”

Skyy Jordan will be singing the national anthem before the Grizzlies game Wednesday night. Unlike the anthem singers that preceded her, Skyy is completely blind.

The arm of St. Jude is coming to Memphis Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know — about the relic, about St. Jude himself and about why it matters, especially, in this town. 

Memphis Mayor Paul Young met with gang members last week and asked for a “truce.” But you know what’s better than a truce? Giving kids an alternative to joining gangs in the first place. That’s where Memphis Rox comes in. And it could use your support.

Pat Halloran’s life was celebrated in grand style Monday. There was music! There was laughter! There were stories about a larger-than-life character who fell in love with Memphis — and then made it a better place. 

Randy Fowler got a new heart in 1997. Wesley Fowler got a new heart in 1999 and another in 2000. Thanks to the generosity of donors, they’re both still singing, parachuting and otherwise living their lives. So on National Donor Day — also known as Valentine’s Day — how about becoming a donor yourself?