When Future’s “Go Harder” erupted inside FedExForum midway through the first quarter on Saturday night, it served as a telltale sign that Tony Allen was somewhere in sight.
As the camera panned to Allen in a suite with his family, the crowd erupted when he raised one finger in a symbolic nod to his “First Team,” mantra.
The saying goes, “If you love Memphis, Memphis will love you back.” Allen, fondly known as “The Grindfather,” exemplifies that notion. After the 125-91 win over the Miami Heat, the Memphis Grizzlies honored their adopted son, retiring his iconic number 9 jersey to the FedExForum rafters, forever cementing his legacy in the city he loves.
Widely respected for his fierce and unrelenting defensive style, Allen is regarded as one of the premier defenders of his era in the NBA. After being drafted out of Oklahoma State by the Boston Celtics, Allen won an NBA championship before joining the Grizzlies as a free agent in 2010. His legacy, largely defined by his defensive prowess, earned him six All-Defensive team selections during his time with the Grizzlies.
While some may have raised eyebrows over the decision to retire Allen’s jersey, citing the lack of a championship or gaudy offensive statistics, his indelible mark on the team’s culture and tenacious approach to the game cannot be overstated. His influence extended far beyond the box score, significantly impacting the team’s winning ways both on and off the court.
Kendrick Lamar’s profound words echo the truth: “You can’t fake influence.” The phrase succinctly captures the genuine and lasting imprint Tony Allen has left on the Grizzlies franchise and the city itself.
During the ceremony, former Grizzlies and Chicago native Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce, Allen’s mentor and former Boston Celtics teammate, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol spoke affectionately about Allen, bringing him to tears.
Also in attendance were former Coach Lionel Hollins, Rudy Gay, former GM Chris Wallace, Vince Carter, Beno Udrih, Quincy Pondexter, and Glynn Cyprien.
An emotional Allen thanked his family, former coaches, teammates, and the passionate Grizz Nation for the honor they bestowed upon him. He was his authentic self throughout his speech.
In one memorable moment Allen said of his time with Memphis, “We weren’t no glitz and glamour-y team.” You come in here, we might slap the shit out of you. See what I’m saying? That’s how we rocked.”
With self-deprecating humor, Allen poked fun at his own limited offensive skills, recalling how he was often instructed to simply stand in the corner and stay out of the way when the Grizzlies were on offense.
To conclude his more than 20 minute speech Allen said, “I thank y’all— that’s my speech. I’m ready to see that thang in the rafters.”
As the jersey ascended, the energetic beats of Young Jeezy’s “Put On” blasted, and Allen celebrated the moment by dancing with his wife and children.
Reaction from Fans
“My favorite player will forever be Tony Allen,” said longtime fan Katee Forbis. “He’s been a great example to this city that our mistakes don’t have to define us and that being underestimated can be reframed into motivation for our success. Tony has meant the world to me — and as his self-proclaimed number one fan, he was always gracious and kind to me. There will never be another player exactly like Tony Allen. His passion and heart for the game are unmatched and that’s why Memphis will always love him.”
Memphis native and devoted Grizzlies fan, Tee Crawford, an Army veteran, has been cheering on the team since its arrival in the city. He wholeheartedly believes that Tony Allen’s jersey retirement is a well-deserved honor.
Crawford credits Zach Randolph and Allen for elevating the team and city. He praised Allen’s toughness and defensive skills, which helped Mike Conley and Marc Gasol improve their defense, nearly leading to an NBA Finals appearance. Crawford also considers Allen essential to the team’s success during the Grit and Grind era.
“I really enjoyed the Tony Allen: The Grindfather documentary on YouTube,” said Crawford. It was inspirational to see all the issues that he encountered and overcame to make his dream of playing in the NBA come true. I love the fact he gives back to communities like the one he grew up in and also the fact that he loves Memphis and is an ambassador for the city.”
For Grizzlies season ticket holder Elizabeth Smith, Tony Allen played a crucial role in shaping the identity of Grizzlies basketball. She noted that before his arrival, the team was struggling to find its footing, and fans like herself were only casually invested in the team.
Smith recalled, “TA was an integral part of changing that when he laced up for the Grizz. He didn’t care about stats, highlights, or flashy plays — he cared about one thing: locking up the other team’s best player and making their night miserable. The moment he said ‘All Heart. Grit. Grind.’ in that postgame interview, he wasn’t just talking — he was setting the standard. That wasn’t just a catchphrase; it was the identity of our city, team, and fans who packed the Grindhouse. ‘First Team All-Defense’ wasn’t just a phrase he shouted on the court; it became a movement.”
Smith added: “That’s why we love him. He wasn’t just a player — he is one of us. He played with the same toughness, grit, and passion the city and Grizzlies fans take pride in. He never tried to be something he wasn’t. He just worked, and in doing that, he helped give Grizzlies fans like me something to believe in. The Grindfather helped make Memphis Grizzlies basketball matter. He made teams fear coming here. He made defense cool. He will always be First Team All-Defense in our hearts. Thanks, TA for helping Grizz fans believe we could rise to new heights – #GNG.”
With tears, Malenda Meacham, aka Bongo Lady, recounted an emotional evening celebrating Allen’s jersey retirement. She praised Allen for embracing Memphis’ values of heart, grit, and grind, and feels the honor was long overdue. Meacham expressed her admiration for Allen’s lifelong dedication and proudly declared herself a loyal fan, or “ride or die,” since his arrival in Memphis.
“He means everything to this city and he deserves his flowers,” said Meacham. “I truly believe it was an honor of my lifetime to witness Tony Allen playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and then watching his jersey be retired. I have all the feels. Thank you, Tony Allen! Love, Bongo Lady and the entire city of Memphis.”
Corby Stokes, Sr., program coordinator of Heal901, a Memphis non-profit, praised Allen for his gritty and tenacious playing style, which resonated with the city of Memphis. Although he wasn’t a superstar, his heart and determination made him a beloved role player, embodying the city’s spirit of resilience and perseverance.
Stokes told the Flyer: “People can say a lot of bad things about this city, but some great people come here because of the struggles and things that they grew up with. And Tony (Allen) is another one of those people who’s cut from that same cloth, growing up in inner-city Chicago, which I’m sure relates a lot to Memphis. It relates a lot to Chicago, in which there are some of the social determinants of violence that’s going on. And he is taking the time and investing in our community, investing in our youth, and seeing what’s wrong and trying to be a part of the change.”
Stokes went on: “It just means so much to us that TA is working with us, because we look at all the youth in our city as our babies, not just our own individual children by blood, but the youth in general. And so when those who have come to our city and now call our city home, see that, and they put their hands to the plow and work along with us to try to correct those wrongs in this city is exciting and I am honored to be a part of it.”
Recently, Allen helped bring One City Basketball, a Chicago-based initiative founded by former Grizzlies player Joakim Noah to Memphis, partnering with organizations like Heal 901, Noah’s Arc Foundation, Memphis Allies, Cities United and Cure Violence.
Allen is just the third Grizzlies player to receive the honor of having his jersey retired, joining Randolph and Gasol.
“I want to share this with everybody,” Allen said. “I want this to not just be about me, but I want all of us to embrace this because I just think this is a dream come true.”
Allen and Memphis are a perfect union, and Saturday night’s celebration was a testament to the deep affection between the city and its adopted son. The evening was filled with a palpable sense of love and mutual admiration, as Memphis reciprocated Allen’s enduring devotion. All Heart, Grit and Grind, forever.
