It finally happened. On March 15, 2025, the FedExForum rafters got a little more crowded and a lot more intense.
The Memphis Grizzlies officially raised the No. 9 into the air. Tony Allen jersey retired. It’s a sentence some fans thought they’d never see, mostly because of the legal drama that kept pushing the date back like a bad flight delay. But honestly? The timing ended up being kinda poetic.
The Long Road to the Rafters
You have to remember how we got here. This wasn't a standard "player retires, team holds a party" situation.
The Grizzlies actually announced they were retiring Tony’s jersey way back in 2021. It was supposed to happen right alongside Zach Randolph. Then, life got messy. Allen was caught up in a federal investigation involving an NBA healthcare fraud scheme. Instead of a celebration, we got a legal battle.
Tony, being the guy he is, asked the team to postpone the ceremony. He didn't want the "Grindfather" legacy overshadowed by a courtroom docket. It took a few years of laying low, paying back restitution—reportedly around $420,000—and staying out of the headlines before the organization felt the "vibes" were right again.
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Why a Guy with 8 Points a Game Got a Jersey Retired
If you look at Tony Allen's career stats, you might laugh. He averaged about 8.1 points per game. He wasn't a knockdown shooter. He wasn't a flashy playmaker. He was, quite frankly, an offensive liability at times. Teams used to "ignore" him on the perimeter, practically begging him to shoot.
But stats in Memphis don't mean what they mean in Los Angeles or Miami.
Tony Allen was the identity. He's the guy who coined the phrase "All Heart. Grit. Grind." after a random regular-season win against Oklahoma City in 2011. He didn't just play for the Grizzlies; he created the Grizzlies' soul.
The Lockdown Resume
- Six-time All-Defensive Team selection. (Three of those were First Team).
- The "Kobe Seal of Approval." Kobe Bryant famously called Allen the best defender he ever faced. He even gave him a pair of signed shoes to prove it.
- Second in franchise steals. He finished his Memphis tenure with 762 steals.
- The 2013 Western Conference Finals. He was the defensive engine that got them there.
He was the dude who would dive over a front-row fan for a loose ball in a game in mid-January that didn't even matter for the standings. You can't coach that. You certainly can't fake it.
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The Ceremony: What Really Happened
The night itself was a throwback to the "Grit and Grind" era. They played the Miami Heat, which felt right—a team that values the same kind of "culture" Tony pioneered.
The Grizzlies handed out commemorative vinyl records to the first 5,000 fans. Why a record? Because Tony is a Memphis original. The ceremony featured appearances from the "Core Four"—Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Zach Randolph. Seeing them all together again? It felt like a time capsule.
During his speech, Tony was exactly who you'd expect. Raw. Emotional. A little bit chaotic. He shouted out "Grizz Nation" and reminded everyone that "First Team All-Defense" isn't just a trophy; it's a lifestyle.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
There’s always going to be a segment of NBA Twitter that thinks retiring a jersey for a role player is "participation trophy" energy. They point to the lack of a championship ring in Memphis. They point to his career scoring average.
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But jersey retirements aren't just about the Hall of Fame. They are about what a player meant to a specific city. Before Tony Allen arrived in 2010, the Grizzlies were a franchise people forgot existed. They were the team that gave away Pau Gasol for "pennies on the dollar."
Tony Allen made people care. He made Memphis a place where superstars didn't want to play because they knew they’d spend 48 minutes getting poked, prodded, and harassed by a 6'4" guard who didn't care about his own box score.
Actionable Takeaways for Grizzlies Fans
If you're looking to celebrate the legacy of the No. 9, here is how to keep the "Grit and Grind" spirit alive:
- Watch the Documentary: The Grizzlies released a film called Tony Allen: The Grindfather. It’s the best way to see the behind-the-scenes footage of how that 2011-2017 run changed the city's sports culture.
- Visit the FedExForum: Even if you missed the retirement night, the banner is there. It hangs next to Randolph (50) and Gasol (33). Mike Conley (11) is almost certainly next once he hangs them up.
- Appreciate the "Dirty Work": The next time you see a player like Marcus Smart or Vince Williams Jr. dive for a ball or take a charge, remember that Tony Allen paved the way for that style of play to be valued in Memphis.
The Tony Allen jersey retired event wasn't just about one guy. It was a formal "thank you" to an era that put Memphis on the map. It’s officially the end of a chapter, but the banner stays up forever.