Grit and Grind
For many Memphians, some of their fondest memories were formed through fan participation in the vibrant professional sports leagues in the city. From the Grizzlies to 901 FC to the Redbirds, Memphis offers a major sporting event for every season. The presence of active sports teams brings a rich flair to any city that enhances the community as well as attracts non-locals from surrounding areas.
Although Memphis certainly boasts a dynamic arts scene, the local culture, which has been obviously shaped in part by sports energy, remains unrivaled. Having a diversity of professional sports leagues gives many young children heroes to which they can aspire. In these athletes, they see projections of themselves in their wildest dreams and hustle a little harder to reach their goals. They strive to imitate their character and mannerisms as well as their stats. Because the majority of Memphis professional games are reasonably priced (and many free tickets are reserved for youth organizations), most children have access to actually go and see their athlete idols, perpetuating this cycle of community involvement.
Image via 901 FC Facebook Page
A bustling professional sports scene also attracts nearby fans to the city for a fun Saturday day trip capped off by the big game. In a city less reliant on tourism, this extra boost can stimulate the economy by bringing in a little extra revenue to areas like Main Street, Cooper Young, and Beale Street.
Most of all though, the professional leagues in Memphis have facilitated a means for community engagement and ownership unlike any other aspect of our city. People from all parts of the city of all ages and all ethnicities rally on game day to support their favorite Memphis team. It truly has provided the building blocks for our cultural mantra of “grit and grind.”
Ask any local and they can name their top sports moments. Last minute buzzer beaters in Grizzlies games have fostered pure-hearted camaraderie with fellows fans. Eating a hotdog and pretzel at a Redbirds game elicits memories of pure, sincere enjoyment. And few will ever forget that magical sense of the wholehearted unified suspense electric during the 2008 March Madness Final Four run for the Tigers.
Although Memphis may not have the most titles or trophies, the devoted fan base gives an experience like no other. If you want to see the true heartbeat of the city, attend a Memphis sporting event!