In this episode of Memphian on the Move, we sat down with the Grindfather himself—Tony Allen. From his Chicago roots to becoming a Memphis legend, we explored his journey, his deep love for the community, and the legacy of the Grit and Grind era. With new projects on the horizon and a heart still grounded in Memphis, Tony Allen proves that his story is far from over. We saved you a seat at the table… let’s dive in.
The Grindfather
The Grindfather—a nickname that became synonymous with Memphis pride—originated from a moment that captured the city’s spirit. Tony Allen signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2010, bringing a Chicago-born toughness and leaving everything he had on the court. The city saw his relentlessness. The city felt his heart. And when he said, “All heart. Grit and Grind” in a post-game interview, we agreed. Memphis saw itself in Tony—and he saw himself in Memphis. That phrase wasn’t just a soundbite—it fuel to the fire behind a precious city .
The Grit + Grind Era
To call the Grit and Grind era just a chapter in Grizzlies history would be an understatement—it was and still is a movement. Tony Allen, along with his game-changing teammates, helped lead a cultural shift both on and off the court. At a time when Memphis needed a little spark- Grizzlies legends lit the fire inside the city. You could hear it in the electric roar of the games—the pride in FedExForum was unmatched. The stadium thundered with passion, and Memphians waved their towels like it was a citywide ritual. Back then, stepping into the Forum meant leaving your worries at the door, and for as long as we were in there, Memphis agreed on one thing: we all grit, and grind.
We all grit + grind!
The Court. The Community. The Classroom
When Tony Allen stepped into Crosstown High School’s gymnasium, he was met with a standing ovation from about 20 basketball players and a few of us lucky enough to witness it. Sure, it didn’t compare to the roar of a packed stadium—but the respect in the room was just as loud. He stood tall (obviously) and spoke with pride, ready to pour into the next generation. You could probably guess the first thing he told them: Grit and Grind. But this time, he had to break it down. These students were young—too young to remember the height of that Grizzlies era.
So, he told them plainly: grit and grind means putting everything behind what you believe in. It means practice. Patience. Hard work. Teamwork. It means never backing down. He explained that grit and grind isn’t just about aggression—it’s about diligence. It’s about resilience.
And resilience is the perfect word to describe Memphis. From surviving the Yellow Fever epidemic to bouncing back after devastating tornadoes, Memphis shows up, stands tall, and keeps pushing forward. Connecting with the community—like Allen did with those students in the gym—is something he’s prioritized since his first day in the 901. He understood from the beginning that Memphis isn’t a city chasing flash or fame like L.A. Memphis values heart.
So Allen got his hands dirty. Toy drives, meet-ups, school visits—Tony, Zach Randolph, and others showed up, not for publicity, but for the people. “We considered our situations and circumstances growing up,” he shared in our interview. “Giving hope to kids who never thought they’d meet a Grizzlies player—that’s the joy we carried with us.”
And Memphis gave that love right back. The community respected Allen then for those selfless moments—and continues to honor him today, as he shows up for the next generation through mentorship, school visits, and youth programs all across the city.
“We considered our situations and circumstances growing up… Giving hope to kids who never thought they’d meet a Grizzlies player—that’s the joy we carried with us.”
Tony’s Winning Season
Even after an incredible basketball career and a well-deserved jersey retirement, Tony Allen is still racking up wins—this time, off the court. When we asked what day-to-day life looks like now, he told us he starts each morning getting his kids ready for school. He’s a proud father of future game-changers and husband to Desiree Allen. These days, he co-hosts the popular sports podcast Out the Mud, which recently surpassed 100K followers on YouTube. And as if that weren’t enough, he’s deeply involved in community work—serving as a commissioner for the One City violent intervention group and sitting on the board for GoSprouts. Safe to say, The Grindfather is still putting in the work and making an impact where it matters most.
We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: Tony Allen is a real one.
A legend on the court. A leader in the city. A true Memphian.
Thank you, Tony, for proving that grit and grind doesn’t end at the buzzer—it lives on in everything you do.
