Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. 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 1165 articles by Geoff Calkins :
FedEx exec Richard Smith says this is a critical moment for Downtown Memphis — and the Grizzlies, FedExForum and Beale Street may be the key.
Richard Smith was as surprised as anyone when Fred Smith, his father, decided the family would give $50 million to help renovate the stadium. Here’s Smith on crime, Ja Morant, conference realignment and how that gift came to be.
“Could not be any better,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., the president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “And next year, we’ll take it to the next level.”
Rick Spell, who owns three Memphis restaurants, had a recent meeting with the police. And he came away impressed.
Was it prudent for Memphis to say no to the Pac-12? Possibly. Was it deflating? Unquestionably.
“The future of the Grizzlies might be caught up in the ongoing fight over the gun referendum. For Memphis, it’s a dangerous game to play.”
If given the chance, Memphis should jump to the Pac-12. It isn’t even a close call.
“Ryan Silverfield called the win over Florida State ‘monumental.’ It was certainly that. Indeed, there is an argument that it was the most important win in program history.”
The North Carolina men’s basketball team and the South Carolina women’s basketball team are coming to Memphis. for a nationally televised doubleheader to benefit St. Jude. And just wait until you hear what St. Jude is hoping to do next. Tigers basketball to host North Carolina, South Carolina in games benefiting St. JudeRelated content:
Scott said Hardaway would absolutely, unequivocally be back “based on every piece of information I have right now, today.” Tomorrow, the information could be different. Memphis AD: Hardaway will ‘absolutely, unequivocally' stay Tigers' coachRelated content:
“Penny Hardaway has fired Rick Stansbury and three other staffers just weeks before a new season begins. The continuing chaos is not ideal.”
Memphis crushed North Alabama in their first game at the Liberty Hole, also known as Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The place looked really strange. But in a good way.
The comedian, DJ, video producer and ‘poet laureate of Alabama football' is new to Memphis-Shelby County Schools. But he’s not as new to Memphis as you might think.
Linda Sklar was hired to bring middle-class families back to Memphis schools. For roughly 50 years, she did that and more. She built optional programs that inspired hundreds of people to stand in lines.
It’s the perfect way to honor Fletcher’s legacy — and to continue to spread her light.
Dr. Jon McCullers became an influential leader of the Mid-South’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of that, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Q&A: Dr. McCullers on how Memphis managed the pandemic — and what still makes people madRelated content:
Dr. Jon McCullers, who helped lead Memphis through the COVID-19 pandemic, is leaving for a new job in Houston. Here are his thoughts on how Memphis handled school closings, vaccinations, football games and Black Lives Matter protests. As Dr. McCullers led Memphis through the pandemic, he fought his own private battle Related content:
When he was 16, Seth Rider told his family he wanted to be an Olympian. It was an audacious thing to say. But that kid from Germantown now has a silver medal around his neck.
It’s finally the moment to unveil the greatest five Memphis athletes of the century. And these five didn’t leave much doubt. The list includes a Tiger football player, a Tiger basketball player and three Memphis Grizzlies. Only the order is up for debate.
The Daily Memphian staff made a list of the greatest 25 Memphis athletes of the century. If the result ticks you off, and it most certainly will, it’s because there has been too much greatness to list. The greatest Memphis athletes of the century: Nos. 1-5 The greatest Memphis athletes of the century: Nos. 6-10 The greatest Memphis athletes of the century: Nos. 11-15Related stories
The Daily Memphian has selected the greatest 25 Memphis athletes of the century. Nos. 21-25 include two men who won historic trophies, two of the best receivers in Memphis football history and one of the most accomplished prep hoopers of the last 24 years.
The Daily Memphian has selected the greatest 25 Memphis athletes of the century. Nos. 16-20 include two Grizzlies, a Tiger quarterback, one of the greatest kickers in NFL history and a baseball player who could be back in the news this week.
The Daily Memphian has selected the greatest 25 Memphis athletes of the century. Nos. 11-15 include the “King of Memphis,” the leading scorer on the most dominant Tiger basketball team of all time, two prep stars and the Grizzlies player who authored the most courageous performance in franchise history.
The Daily Memphian has selected the greatest 25 Memphis athletes of the century. Nos. 6-10 include a two-time Silver Slugger, an NBA Hall-of-Famer, a running back who had a hard time breaking 100 yards in college, an Olympic gold medalist and a Memphian who pitched a perfect game.
“They started knocking down Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Monday. The goal isn’t to have a nicer place to watch games. The goal is an invitation to a power conference. But is it too little, too late?”Related story: