Well, now, if you’re here wonderin’ about them Memphis mascots, let me tell ya, it’s all about them tigers, and them grizzly bears too. You see, the Memphis Tigers, they got themselves a mascot named TOM, and this ain’t just any ol’ mascot. No, sir. TOM’s a real-live Bengal tiger, and he’s been representin’ the University of Memphis since way back in 1972. Mighty fine tiger he was, and still is, keepin’ the spirit alive for them Tigers of Memphis.
Let me tell ya about this here TOM. It started out back in ’72 when some folks from the Highland Hundred Football Boosters thought, “Well, we sure could use a mascot!” So they went and bought themselves a Bengal tiger for the tidy sum of $1,500. They didn’t just go pick him up at the zoo or nothin’. They flew him in, put him in a dog kennel, and made sure he was comfortable. You might think that’s a bit much, but they sure knew what they was doin’!
Now, this first TOM, he sure had a big ol’ job on his paws. He’d show up at football games, lookin’ all fierce and proud. He was the star of the show for the University of Memphis, and folks loved him. And then, over time, well, TOM needed some company. So, they brought in TOM II, and after that, TOM III. They kept the tiger tradition alive and well, always bringin’ that fiery spirit to the games. TOM III, now, he was somethin’ special. He was there for one of the best times in the university’s history, and folks just adored him.
But like all good things, time went on. TOM III eventually passed away, and folks was mighty sad about it. But don’t you worry none, because TOM’s legacy still lives on strong. They still honor him, and they still use the tiger as their mascot. Ain’t nobody forgettin’ that tiger!
Now, it ain’t just the Tigers at the University of Memphis who got mascots. No, sir, the Memphis Grizzlies got themselves a mascot too. His name’s Grizz, and he’s a big ol’ bear! He’s been representin’ the team since they moved to Memphis from Vancouver in 2004. Grizz is a bit different from TOM, ’cause he’s a bear, not a tiger, but he sure does bring the energy. Grizz runs around at them basketball games, keeps the crowd hyped up, and makes sure everyone’s havin’ a good time.
Grizz is a mighty fine mascot, and he’s been workin’ with the team since 2013. His handler, John Rose, he’s been inside the Grizz suit all these years, makin’ sure he puts on a good show. I reckon he makes a fair bit of money for it too—’bout $50,000 a year, they say. That’s a lot of money for wearin’ a big bear suit, if ya ask me!
But back to TOM. Did you know they got a little tradition goin’ on over there at the University of Memphis? They pick out them school colors, blue and gray, and the tiger mascot’s all part of that tradition. Some say them colors come from the Civil War times when the blue and gray represented the Union and the Confederacy. It’s a way to remember how the country came back together after all that fightin’.
So, whether you’re a fan of the Memphis Tigers or the Memphis Grizzlies, you can’t deny that them mascots got a big part in the heart of the city. TOM the tiger, he’s been around for more than 30 years now, and Grizz, he’s a newer face, but both of ‘em sure do bring a whole lotta joy to the folks in Memphis.
- TOM the Tiger – Mascot for the University of Memphis since 1972
- TOM III – The most beloved tiger of them all
- Grizz – Mascot for the Memphis Grizzlies since 2004
- Grizz’s handler, John Rose – Playing Grizz since 2013
So, next time you’re watchin’ a game or seein’ a big ol’ tiger or bear on the field, remember it ain’t just a mascot. It’s a symbol of pride, tradition, and all the good times folks in Memphis have had and will keep havin’. Ain’t that somethin’?
Tags：[Memphis Tigers, TOM the Tiger, University of Memphis, Memphis Grizzlies, Grizz mascot, Bengal tiger, Memphis sports, university mascot, Memphis basketball, sports traditions]
