MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Grizzlies fans are showing some grace to retired star, Tony Allen – after he was busted in Arkansas Wednesday on drug charges. The former defensive player maintains his innocence, saying that the drugs were not his. Thursday, fans were also coming to his defense.

 

“He’s human like everybody else,” said lifelong Grizz fan Antonio Maurice. “He’s no better, no worse. Now, if society said he’s wrong, okay, he’s got to pay what the consequences are. But he’s not a bad person. He’s just a person to get caught. He put his own legacy on the Grizzlies and that’s something that all grizzly fans will remember.”

 

“He’s going to get through this little hump,” added Miles Brown. “It’s okay. It’s nothing that’s going to really put a stain on anything about his reputation or his career. He’s the Grindfather. He’s always been a grinder. And he’s the reason why we call it the FedEx Forum the Grindhouse. It’s Tony Allen, man. We just can’t give up on him. He’s done so much for the city of Memphis.”

 

The Grizzlies retired Allen’s 9 jersey in March. Months later he was put in the spotlight again. Wednesday, Poinsett County deputies pulled a car over for a traffic violation. Allen was a passenger in that car. Body camera footage obtained by FOX13 shows deputies pulling what they say was marijuana from Allen’s pocket. Deputies also searched the car and found cocaine.

 

Deputies arrested Allen and the driver, William Hatton. Allen bonded out of jail and released a statement Thursday maintaining his innocence saying in part, “I was not in possession of, nor was I aware of, the illegal drugs found in the vehicle that belonged to the driver. I have never used cocaine or methamphetamine, and these substances do not reflect who i am or my values.”

 

Fans FOX13 spoke with said they were surprised by the arrest, but are also forgiving.

 

 “Shocked, totally shocked,” said Jack Bice, who’s a Grizzlies season ticket holder. “I mean, a drug’s a drug still so, it’s unfortunate. He is a role model. He needs to think about that. But I always supported him, loved him, and everyone makes mistakes. So hopefully this is just a mistake.”

 

 Fans’ message for the 2025 Tennessee Sports Hall Of Fame Inductee was simple: they still support him.

 

“We still love our Tony,” said Maurice. “You can’t kill love overnight. I’m a Grizzlies fan, Tony. I got you brother. That’s it.”

 

“Tony, I thank you for everything, man,” said Brown. “You’ve always been good to me. If you’re hearing this man, much love to you, brother. You’re still the Grindfather. We love you.”

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