Grizzlies Retire Tony Allen's No. 9 Jersey, Honoring 'Grit and Grind' Legacy

Tony Allen becomes the third player in Memphis Grizzlies history to have his jersey retired, celebrating his impact on the team's defensive identity.

Tony Allen's No. 9 jersey was retired by the Memphis Grizzlies, recognizing his role in defining the team's 'Grit and Grind' era.
Allen joins Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol as the only players in franchise history to receive this honor, with both in attendance at the ceremony.
Known for his defensive excellence, Allen earned six All-Defensive Team selections and was praised by stars like Kobe Bryant as one of the toughest defenders they faced.
The ceremony highlighted Allen's contributions to Memphis' identity, with team owner Robert Pera crediting him for setting a standard of defensive intensity during his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.
While many fans celebrated the honor, some expressed skepticism online, questioning whether Allen's achievements warranted jersey retirement.