The most memorable moments in Memphis sports history don't quite stretch as far back as the city itself, which is celebrating its bicentennial this year.
No matter. The Bluff City has generated some truly remarkable moments, so we have decided to relive some of the more notable of the bunch — presented in chronological order.
The first Tennessee Derby (1884):Kentucky has long been recognized as the epicenter of American horse racing. But Tennessee (specifically, Memphis) rivaled the Bluegrass State for that distinction in the 19th century. Before gambling was outlawed in Tennessee in 1906, Montgomery Park (where the Fairgrounds is located today) played host to many races, including the Tennessee Derby. The trackwas originally constructed in 1851 by Henry A. Montgomery (president of the New Memphis Jockey Club). The first edition of the Tennessee Derby was run in 1884 and won by Ten Strike (a son of Ten Broeck, a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame). Lady Navarre won the final Tennessee Derby on April 24, 1906.
Memphis dominates NFL champs (Dec. 15, 1929): Perhaps the NFL's attitude toward Memphis can be traced back to that afternoon at Hodges Field. That's when the Memphis Tigers (an independent pro football team owned by Piggly Wiggly founder Clarence Saunders) beat the defending NFL champion Green Bay Packers 20-6. The Packers, captained and coached by Curly Lambeau,went undefeated against NFL opponents and traveled to Memphis for an exhibition game the Sunday after the season finale. Writers estimate more than 8,000 showed up for the game. An article in the Green Bay Press-Gazette read, "...the pro champs were outplayed from start to finish, and put up rather listless battle against an alert, heady bunch ofhuskies ..."
Tigers' first moment in the sun (March 23, 1957): Never before had Memphis State College found itself in the national spotlight. But in March 1957, the Tigers thrust themselves into it by reaching the National Invitation Tournament championship in New York. Even though Memphis lost to Bradley in an 84-83 nail-biter, the Tigers’ coach at the time, Bob Vanatta, said that game put the program “on the map.”
The scoreless tie (Sept. 21, 1963): Memphis State was fresh off a 28-7 win over Southern Miss in the season opener, and looking to make some noise in welcoming Ole Miss to Crump Stadium before a standing room-only crowd. The Tigers didn’t win, but they didn’t let the Rebels win either. Memphis State came up with a goal line stand early to keep Ole Miss off the scoreboard. The closest the Tigers would come to scoring was Billy Fletcher’s 32-yard field goal attempt that narrowly missed going through the uprights. Memphis State’s John Fred Robilio won Lineman of the Week honors from Sports Illustrated for his efforts in holding Ole Miss to just 57 yards rushing.
A “Mid-South” first (Dec. 1, 1964): Tipoff between Memphis State and Texas A&M was scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on the first day of December, 1964. Officially, 8,673 showed up for the game and watched their Tigers beat the Aggies 82-73. The game was the first Memphis State basketball game held inside the new Mid-South Coliseum, which held its official dedication ceremony more than two weeks later. The Tigers moved to The Pyramid in 1991, and the Mid-South Coliseum remained open until 2006.
Breaking through vs. the Rebels (Sept. 23, 1967):One year before Archie Manning burst onto the scene for the Rebels, Memphis State hosted Ole Miss in the season opener, looking for its first win in the series that was already 22 games old. More than 50,000 showed up at Memphis Memorial Stadium and were “uproariously happy for days afterwards,” according to the 1968 Memphis State media guide,following the 27-17 victory. The Tigers trailed 17-14 with less than 7 minutes to play. Quarterback Ricky Thurow put the home team ahead in his Memphis State debutwith a 24-yard touchdown run, and Bob Baxter’s 75-yard punt return two minutes later extended the lead. Nick Pappas’ 93-yard kickoff return was another highlight for the Tigers.
Neumann vs. Finch (Feb. 21, 1969): Two of the city's brightest basketball stars — the flashy, brash Johnny Neumann and the calm, cool Larry Finch— led their respective teams (Overton and Melrose) against each other in the city championship. More than 10,000 poured into the Mid-South Coliseum, and thousands more were reportedly turned away. Despite Neumann's 34 and 13 night, Melrose won 76-65 behind Finch's 21 points.
A Final Four first (March 24, 1973): Memphis State may have been the defending Missouri Valley Conference champs heading into the 1972-73 season, but by the time the Tigers got to the Final Four that season, they were heavy underdogs. The fourth-ranked Providence Friars were on fire, having steamrolled into the matchup on a 17-game win streak. Memphis State trailed by ninepoints at halftime, but a 58-point second half (and a combined 73 points from Larry Kenon, Ronnie Robinson and Larry Finch) got the Tigers into the championship game for the first time in program history.
The original Grizzlies (July 10, 1974): Charlie Rich sang the National Anthem. Elvis Presley was there — along with more than 30,000 others. They were all at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to see the Memphis Southmen (referred to more affectionately by locals as the Grizzlies, part of the World Football League), the first iteration of a professional football team in the Bluff City. The Southmen beat the Detroit Wheels 34-15 in their inaugural game. The WFL eventually folded midway through its second season.
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Pros/Tams/Sounds bounce (Aug. 27, 1975): P.L. Blake brought the ABA to Memphis in 1970 when he bought the New Orleans Buccaneers and moved the team to the Bluff City. So began roughly five years of losing and laughingstock status. The teams went 139-281 while in Memphis. Charles O. Finley once owned the team. Isaac Hayes was once a co-owner. Adolph Rupp was once the team's president. Johnny Neumann played for the team for two seasons before being traded in a package that brought Ronnie Robinson back to Memphis. Larry Finch also played for them. The last game the Sounds played at Mid-South Coliseum before the team was relocated to Baltimore in August 1975was an elimination playoff game against the Kentucky Colonels— who were coached by Hubie Brown. Oddly enough, they won 107-93.
POTUS’ hole-in-one (June 8, 1977): Less than six months removed from office, President Gerald Ford took part in the celebrity pro-am at the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic. Perhaps foreshadowing the magic to come just two days later, Ford grabbed his 5-iron on the 157-yard No. 5 at Colonial Country Club and hit a hole-in-one. Richard Nixon and Dwight Eisenhower are reportedly the only other presidents to accomplish the same feat.
Geiberger’s 59 (June 10, 1977): On an especially hot Friday afternoon at Colonial Country Club in Cordova, Al Geiberger was especially hot. That was the day he became, as President Gerald Ford called him, “Mr. 59” for being the first golfer on the PGA Tour to break 60. He did so in the second round of the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic (now the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Classic) with more than 22,000 on hand to witness it. How rare was the feat? It had been 20 years since the last PGA golfer shot a 60 (Sam Sneak at the 1957 Dallas Open) and it took 14 more years for someone else to finish with a 59 (Chip Beck at the Las Vegas Invitational). All told, it’s been done nine times, but Geiberger, who won the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic that year,was the first.
David slays Goliath on the pitch (May 24, 1978): The Memphis Rogues began play as part of the North American Soccer League in 1978. Before hosting the league’s defending champs, the Rogues were 1-9. The Cosmos were notably without their best player, Franz Beckenbauer, who was sidelined with a muscle strain in his right thigh. And Memphis took advantage, felling the class of the league 1-0 behind a goal off the foot of Tony Field (a former Cosmos player and future Christian Brothers soccer coach). Field was quoted after the game as saying, “Isn’t this amazing? I had to come to Memphis for the New York press to talk to me. I feel really good inside.”
Lawler, Kaufman and the Coliseum (April 5, 1982): “The King” of Memphis wrestling and the groundbreaking comic made history when they squared off in front of more than 10,000 strong at the Mid-South Coliseum. It was reportedly not the only time Kaufman made an appearance in the Bluff City, but it’s by far the most memorable. As the story goes, Jerry "The King" Lawler took exception to the big-mouthed, holier-than-thou Kaufman, whose antagonizing antics toward Memphis and Memphians reached a fever pitch when he and Lawler stood toe-to-toe in the squared circle. Lawler’s vicious piledriver sent Kaufman to the hospital and the two met again on “The Tonight Show” stage. The ensuing altercation has become the stuff of cult legend.
Bear Bryant’s last hurrah (Dec. 29, 1982): He won six national championships, 14 SEC titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year 12 times. Bear Bryant’s legacy had long been cemented before he coached the final game of his legendary career. The Crimson Tide met Illinois at the Liberty Bowl in 1982, and Bryant’s squad won 21-15, the 15th bowl win of his career (still the third-most of any coach in NCAA history). Bryant’s swan song completely overshadowed the game itself, prompting Illinois coach Mike White, in the days leading up to it,to ask, “Is there a game?” At a pregame luncheon, Bryant received three standing ovations and Alabama’s president (Joab L. Thomas) “joked about how easy it was to work for Bear Bryant,” according to the New York Times.
Reggie White and the Showboats (Feb. 26, 1984): The USFL, in all its short-lived glory, debuted 36years ago. One of its expansion teams (the Showboats) was based in Memphis and hosted its first regular-season game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium against the Philadelphia Stars in front of more than 28,000 fans. Despite losing 17-9, one of the Showboats' players went on to become one of the best defenders in the history of pro football. Reggie White played for the Showboats until the USFL folded in 1985.
Back in the Final Four (March 30, 1985): The Tigers were considered favorites leading up to their national semifinal matchup with Villanova by pretty much everyone,even the Tigers themselves. John Wilfong, a reserve guard on that team, even said it was a team that normally wins that game “seven out of 10 times.” After all, Memphis had already dispatched of Boston College and Oklahoma en route to the Final Four. But Villanova won the defensive battle 52-45. Andre Turner (11) and Keith Lee (10) were the only Tigers to reach double figures.
Bo knows Memphis (June 30, 1986): While the result of at-bat No. 1 is slightly uncertain, the phenomenon that became Bo Jackson began his baseball career at Tim McCarver Stadium in the Bluff City with the Memphis Chicks (the AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, who drafted him in the fourth round). Jackson spent 53 games in Memphis, but as legend has it, ESPN broke into the Chicks game live to broadcast Bo’s first at-bat.
Bo's mammoth big fly (one night in 1986): Arguably the most famous slugger to ever put on a Chicks uniform, Bo Jackson's legend grew even further during the summer of his first season as a pro baseball player. He muscled out an awe-inspiring, tape-measure blast over the light tower in left field at old Tim McCarver Stadium. Renowned Memphis sports journalist George Lapides, who witnessed the shot, later recalled it in an interview with The Commercial Appeal.“We measured it,” Lapides said. “It went 565 feet on the fly. And God knows it rolled another 100 feet. It was right out of ‘The Natural.'"
Mike in Memphis (Aug. 4, 1988): Basketball was his bread-and-butter. Baseball was an itch he had to scratch. But golf was up there with both for Michael Jordan. And he drew quite a crowd at Colonial Country Club in Cordova when he played at the FedEx St. Jude Classic Celebrity Pro-Am.In fact, he wound up doing more signing than playing. Jordan was surrounded by autograph seekers almost constantly. Over the course of 18 holes and 4 ½ hours, he was asked to sign caps, visors, posters, pictures, magazine covers, newspapers, business cards, scorecards, tournament programs and dozens of scraps of paper. The NBA’s most valuable player complied as often as possible.
The inaugural Southern Heritage Classic (Sept. 8, 1990): The brainchild of Fred Jones Jr., Tennessee State defeated Jackson State 23-14 in front of 39,579 strong at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. And the Southern Heritage Classic was born. The series between the two HBCU schools began in 1948, but when attendance began to lag and financial concerns mounted, Jones stepped up and turned it into a successful neutral-site, weekend-long annual affair in Memphis.
Penny's Memphis State debut (Nov. 29, 1991): Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, who missed the 1990-91 season, finally made his Tigers debut in the season opener, which also happened to be the first sporting event hosted at the newly constructed Pyramid. Memphis State lost in overtime to 20th-ranked DePaul, 92-89. But Hardaway was on full display for the first time as a Tiger in front a sellout crowd of 20,142. He scored 18 points and collected 15 rebounds. He finished with four blocks, four steals and six assists. His late 3-pointer sent the game into overtime. Perhaps a tad overzealous, Penny committed 13 turnovers. He didn't commit more than sevenin any other game that season.
Memphis 21, Tennessee17 (Nov. 9, 1996): Perhaps the biggest upset in Tiger football history. The Vols came to town ranked sixth in the country, 26-point favorites and riding high thanks to Heisman Trophy candidate Peyton Manning. But Memphis would have none of it. Qadry Anderson’s touchdown pass to Chris Powers with 34 seconds left in the game put the home team up 21-17, stunning the 65,000-plus on hand. Pandemonium ensued as goal posts were deconstructed and paraded through the streets. After the game, Memphis coach Rip Scherer told a national television reporter: “I can’t explain what I feel like. Helluva win.”
The NFL in Memphis (Aug. 31, 1997): Oilers owner Bud Adams had had enough of Houston and set his sights on Nashville. Problem was, Nashville wasn’t ready for the Oilers yet. So Adams and the Oilers squatted in Memphis for a few months in 1997. The temporary stay was not welcomed by Memphians and the Oilers weren’t thrilled about it either. Nevertheless, Memphis became an NFL city on Aug. 31, 1997, when the Oilers “hosted” the Oakland Raiders at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The 24-21 win was the first of eight that season and drew fewer than 30,000 fans. Say what you want about the awkward relationship, but the Oilers did finish the year 6-2 at “home.”
AutoZone Park opens (April 1, 2000): The Memphis Redbirds welcomed their parent club, the St. Louis Cardinals, for the first game to be played inside AutoZone Park, the attractive, state-of-the-art facility at Third and Union. A sellout crowd of 15,000 turned out for the exhibition game, many expecting to see Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire. But less than 24 hours before first pitch, news of a back injury broke, leaving some to wonder whether McGwire not playing would put a damper on the event. It didn’t. “(Memphians) felt finally Memphis had gotten the best of the best of something. No shortcuts,” said Redbirds general manager at the time, Allie Prescott.
Albert Pujols’ spot in Redbirds history (Sept. 15, 2000): The future first-ballot Hall of Famer’s stay in Memphis was short. He played just three regular-season games and 11 playoff games for the Redbirds (the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals). But he left a lasting impression on the Bluff City with one swing of the bat 18-plus years ago. With a 2-1 series lead over Salt Lake, Game 4 went into extra innings. In the bottom of the 13th at AutoZone Park, Pujols’ opposite-field rocket flew just inside the right field foul pole, giving the Redbirds a 4-3 win and the Pacific Coast League championship in walkoff fashion.
First draft and relocation(June 26-28, 2001): The wheels had long been in motion for the Vancouver Grizzlies to relocate to Memphis. But this three-day stretch provided the Bluff City with the most tangible moments of all. On June 26, the Grizzlies acquired Lorenzen Wright and Brevin Knight (currently the team’s color commentator alongside Pete Pranica) as well as the rights to the Atlanta Hawks' third overall pick, which they used to takePau Gasol (the eventual NBA Rookie of the Year). The Grizzlies also drafted Shane Battier sixth overall in what has been the franchise’s most fruitful draft to date. The next day, the NBA relocation committee unanimously recommendedapproval of the Grizzlies’ relocation to Memphis and both Gasol and Battier were introduced to the Bluff City.
Opening night at The Pyramid (Nov. 1, 2001): Memphis finally realized its move to the major leagues when the Grizzlies hosted the Detroit Pistons. Michael Dickerson notched both the first field goal and first rebound in Memphis history, and the game marked the first time in franchise history the team opened the season against an Eastern Conference opponent. The Grizzlies lost the game 90-80, due in part to Jerry Stackhouse (who later became an assistant coach in Memphis), who scored a game-high 34 points. Official attendance: 19,405.
First Grizz ‘W’ in Memphis (Nov. 17, 2001): Back at The Pyramid, the Grizzlies broke into the win column for the first time as Bluff City residents with a 98-83 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. More than 13,000 witnessed the game, which saw five Grizzlies score in double figures, led by Shane Battier’s 20 points. Jason Williams handed out 14 assists and Pau Gasol put up 10 rebounds.
NIT redemption (March 28, 2002): John Calipari led Memphis to the National Invitation Tournament semifinals in his first season as coach. His goal was to get the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in Year 2. That didn’t happen, and Calipari admitted he felt snubbed. So he used that as motivation to guide Memphis to the NIT title in 2002, beating South Carolina 72-62 in the title game. “We won 27 games, and there are only a few teams in the country that can say that,” Calipari said afterward, still smarting at being left out of the field of 64. Earl Barron scored a career-high 25, and Dajuan Wagner (in his final game as a Tiger) put up 16 and was named the tournament's MVP.
“Lewis-Tyson: Is On” (June 8, 2002): The largest prize fight in Memphis history, “Iron” Mike Tyson and “The Lion” Lennox Lewis battled for eight rounds before Lewis was declared the winner by knockout. The fight was originally set for Las Vegas, but a brawl between Tyson and Lewis (as well as their entourages) broke out at the press conference in January, resulting in Nevada refusing to grant Tyson a license. The fight brought scores of big stars to the Bluff City, including Hugh Hefner, Michael Jordan, Donald Trump, Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise.
Beating Eli (Sept. 6, 2003): It was the first time the Tigers beat the Rebels since 1994 and was also the day Danny Wimprine outgunned Heisman candidate Eli Manning. Of course, DeAngelo Williams scored three touchdowns (one receiving) in the 44-34 shootout, but it was Wimprine’s 92-yard strike to Tavarious Davis with just more than 6 minutes to play that put Memphis ahead for good. Manning threw four touchdowns, but Wimprine won the passing yardage battle 355-292. Stephen Gostkowski’s fourth-quarter field goal sealed the deal — although Manning got revenge on the kicker Super Bowl XLII.
Back in the bowl picture (Dec. 16, 2003): Memphis won each of its first two bowl games in program history, but by the time 2003 rolled around, it had been 32 years since the Tigers tasted postseason victory. At the time, it was the nation’s longest active drought. Memphis exorcised the demons by accepting a bid to the New Orleans Bowl — where it would face the Sun Belt champion North Texas — following an 8-4 season. Despite missing DeAngelo Williams, Tommy West led Memphis to a 27-17 victory in front of a national television audience. The 9-4 mark was the best for the Tigers since going undefeated in 1963.
FedExForum opens (Sept. 6, 2004): The $250 million project was completed and FedExForum's doors first opened to the public in early September. Thousands made their way to the bright, shiny structure at Beale Street's backdoorfor an open house celebration. The first major event it hosted: an Usher concert on Sept. 17. Later that same month, Alan Jackson and Martina McBride played there and WWE's SmackDown Live! was held on Sept. 19. The first Grizzlies game the building hosted (on Nov. 3), a 101-93 loss to the Washington Wizards, who had only eight players due to injuries and suspensions.
Tigers at the Forum (Nov. 6, 2004): It was strictly an exhibition game, but it marked the beginning of a new era for Memphis basketball. In the all-Memphis affair, the Tigers defeated Christian Brothers 81-70 on the strength of 25 points from Sean Banks. The new digs took some getting used to, as evidenced by the team's 15-7 home record that season. But Memphis has not lost more than six games in a season at FedExForum since, running up a 249-46 overall home record at the building.
No. 1 vs. No. 2 (Feb. 23, 2008): Easily the most anticipated matchup of one of the best seasons in Tigers history, No. 1 (and undefeated) Memphis hosted second-ranked Tennessee at FedExForum. Tickets were going for as much as $5,000 online. Priscilla Presley had a front-row seat. Peyton Manning was also on hand. It was only the fifth time in college basketball history that a regular-season meeting between the top two teams in the country pitted teams from the same state against each other. The Vols (who trailed 35-34 at halftime) won the game, 66-62, stopping Memphis’ 47-game home winning streak (the longest in the nation at the time).
A Final Four shellacking (April 5, 2008): John Calipari and his Memphis Tigers led for the final 35 minutes against UCLA in the national semifinals at the Alamodome, advancing to the national title game for just the second time in program history. Chris Douglas-Roberts put up 28 points, while Derrick Rose dazzled with 25 of his own. It was the third year in a row UCLA reached the Final Four. The Bruins were 1-3 during that stretch. "I thought this was our best team, our best chance. Memphis State was the better team today,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said.
Tommy West's farewell speech (Nov. 9, 2009): Memphis football was arguably at a crossroads. And Tommy West, who had been notified earlier that day that he would be terminated at the end of the season, appeared before the local media ready to make said argument. After nine seasons, the Tigers were ready to move on from West, who had turned them into legit bowl contenders on a regular basis. But he was frustrated by what he claimed was a lack of investment in the program by the university and the fanbase. Many believe the speech (more of a plea) he delivered at the press conference was a wake-up call. "Now is the time to stand up for your university and your program," he said that day. "We’ve gotta do the things necessary to make this what we want it or do away with it.I couldn’t say that as a coach, but you’ve got to do one or the other,because it’s too painful. Put something in it or do away with it."
Grizzlies make history (April 17, 2011): A postseason that began with the team adopting the motto, “Let’s make history,” the Grizzlies — with Lionel Hollins at the helm — did just that in Game 1 of the first round against the San Antonio Spurs. Zach Randolph’s double-double (25 and 14) led the way and Shane Battier’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left was the highlight. With just four players on the roster with playoff experience, the Grizzlies went on to become just the fourth 8 seed in NBA history to eliminate a 1 seed.
Z-Bo’s floater (April 29, 2011): Zach Randolph hit many big shots over the course of his Grizzlies career. Perhaps none bigger, though, than the running jumper in the lane with 1:11 left on the clock in the fourth quarter of Game 6 versus the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum. Up 89-82 in the game and 3-2 in the series, Z-Bo's left-handed floater over Tim Duncan cinched the Grizzlies' first playoff series victory and set off a celebration that some longtime Memphis sports fans recall as the loudest they've ever heard at FedExForum.
"Tony Allen saved us" (May 15, 2013): Never before had the Grizzlies reached the conference finals. They were on the verge of getting there, needing to beat budding superstar Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road. But the Thunder had the ball down twowith 10.9 seconds left in the game, and it was in Durant's hands. Standing in his way: "The Grindfather." Tony Allen put Durant through the paces all the way down the floor and eventually made him miss. Then, he grabbed the rebound, got fouled and sank a pair of free throws to clinch the win, prompting Mike Conley to say afterward: "Tony Allen saved us." It's still the only time Memphis has reached the conference finals. After eliminating the Thunder, then-head coach Lionel Hollins said:"We're trying to do something very special, to go as far as we can go. It's a nice accomplishment."
Football finds relevance again (Nov. 30, 2014): The Tigers were thick in the throes of football irrelevance. Not since 2004 had Memphis finished with more than seven wins. Not since 1969 had Memphis put together a 6-game winning streak. Not since 1963 had Memphis won as many as 9 games. Not since 1971 had Memphis won a conference title. In Justin Fuente's third year as coach, Memphis accomplished all that when it beat UConn in the regular-season finale to clinch the AAC crown. "I never thought we'd see anything like this," said 82-year-old fan Paul Robinson. For good measure, the Tigers went on tobeat BYU at the Miami Beach Bowl. Memphis has not had a losing record at any point since before that season.
Terrific Tigers (Oct. 17, 2015): Having not beaten a ranked opponent in just shy of two decades, Memphis and Paxton Lynch emphatically knocked off No. 12 Ole Miss 37-24 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to improve to 6-0. It was the Tigers’ 13th consecutive win. Paxton Lynch outplayed Chad Kelly, throwing for 384 yards and three touchdowns. The crowd of 60,241 on hand to witness the upset was the most the Liberty Bowl had held since 2006.
End of an era (Feb. 19, 2017): Ryan Harrison may not be the most recognizable name to many Memphians. But he will always be known as the last winner of the Memphis Open — which experienced a revolving door of name changes throughout its history— held at the Racquet Club of Memphis for 42 years. Other tennis players to play the tournament and win include Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. The last tennis match in Racquet Club of Memphis history was played April 7, 2019.
Blue-collar knocks off bluebloods (Sept. 16, 2017): Memphis fans knew what they had in Riley Ferguson and Anthony Miller. They weren’t quite sure what they had yet in Darrell Henderson. The Tigers’ 48-45 win over No. 25 UCLA reminded them of Ferguson and Miller’s greatness and served as a coming-out party for the player who would eventually leave Memphis as the program’s second-leading rusher. Ferguson threw six touchdown passes, two to Miller, and Henderson rushed for 105 yards on 14 carries to help beat Josh Rosen and the Bruins.
Penny goes out a winner (March 17, 2018): The last high school basketball game one of Memphis' favorite sons ever coached: East 72, Whitehaven 50. The win clinched the Mustangs' third consecutive state championship. East was led by James Wiseman (19 points) and Alex Lomax (14). Hardaway and Lomax reunited at Memphis a few months later. Wiseman signed with the Tigers and will play for Hardaway later this year.
A Penny-Tigers reunion (March 20, 2018): As beloved a sports figure as there is in the Bluff City, Penny Hardaway became the program’s 19th men’s basketball coach and third alumnus (Wayne Yates, Larry Finch) to take the helm. “I’m not just coming here to be a face. I’m coming here to make a difference," Hardaway said that day. In his first season, he led the Tigers to a 22-14 record (the most wins in five seasons) and a spot in the NIT.
The Hutchison dynasty (May 19, 2018): Dave Gearhardt’s legacy and his Hutchison girls lacrosse dominance began in 2010, which was the last time the Sting lost to a team from Tennessee before the 2019 season. But on May 19, 2018, Gearhardt’s squad won its eighth consecutive TGLA state championship.
“Nice finish” (June 10, 2018): “That’s what world No. 1s do.” Such was the sentiment on the national television broadcast after Dustin Johnson drilled a walk-off eagle on No. 18 at the 2018 FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind. The 170-yard shot punctuated Johnson’s runaway victory at the final FESJC, as the tournament shifts in 2019 to the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Johnson later told reporters he didn’t even realize the ball went in the hole until “probably 10 seconds later.”
“Johnny Football” comes to town (March 19, 2019): The ultimately short-lived Alliance of American Football was already the subject of plenty of curiosity by the time mid-March rolled around. But the intrigue ramped up significantly when the Memphis Express signed enigmatic former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. As “John-ny! John-ny!” chants echoed throughout Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, the former Texas A&M star played limited snaps in just two games before going down with a concussion in what would be the team’s final game.
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