If you’re driving through Midtown Memphis near the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, you might notice the street signs have changed. What used to be a standard stretch of South Hollywood Street is now officially Glenn Rogers Sr Street. For most folks, it’s just a GPS update or a new address for the stadium. But for those who know the history of the 901, it’s basically a long-overdue "thank you" to a man who walked into a storm so others could eventually run.
Honestly, we see street names all the time and never think twice about who the person was. This one is different. It’s not named after a politician who lived a hundred years ago or some distant historical figure. Glenn Rogers Sr. is very much here, and his story is kinda incredible when you look at the raw details of what it took to be "the first."
The Walk-On Who Changed Everything
Back in the spring of 1968, Memphis State (now the University of Memphis) was a very different place. The city was a powder keg. Dr. King had just been assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. In the middle of all that tension, a kid from Humes High School decided he was going to play football for the Tigers.
He didn't have a scholarship. He wasn't some highly recruited blue-chip prospect. Glenn Rogers Sr. was a walk-on.
Imagine that for a second. You’re entering an environment that—to put it mildly—wasn't exactly rolling out the red carpet for Black athletes. You’re doing it for free. You’re doing it because you believe you belong there. Rogers eventually earned his scholarship by his sophomore year, but the road wasn't paved with cheers. He and Stan Davis became the first Black players to actually suit up and play in a game for the Tigers in 1969.
What users often get wrong about the naming
A lot of people assume this was a posthumous honor. It isn't. In fact, when the Memphis City Council and Councilman Chase Carlisle pushed this through in 2024, it marked one of the rare times the city renamed a major street for a living individual.
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The street itself—the stretch of Hollywood between Southern and Union avenues—passes right in front of the Liberty Bowl. That’s the exact ground where Rogers made history. It's a heavy bit of symbolism. You can’t get to a Memphis Tigers home game without essentially crossing through his legacy now.
A Legacy Beyond the Gridiron
If Rogers had just played football and left, it still would’ve been a massive story. But he stayed. He dedicated nearly 40 years to the Memphis community as an educator and a coach. He spent over two decades at Southside High School.
You’ve got to respect the grind of a man who goes from being a trailblazing athlete to a mentor for thousands of kids. He wasn't just "the guy who played football." He was Coach Rogers. He was the administrator at Hillcrest High and Tunica Middle School who looked out for students who were navigating their own hurdles.
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The Rogers Family Dynasty
It’s also pretty cool how the story came full circle. His son, Glenn Rogers Jr., didn't just follow in his footsteps; he practically wore them. He played for the Tigers in the late '80s, wearing the same No. 26 his dad wore. Junior went on to have a serious pro career, winning a Grey Cup in the CFL and playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There was a period where the elder Rogers distanced himself from the university. Who could blame him? The late '60s weren't exactly "the good old days" for a Black man in a predominantly white athletic department. It was actually his son who helped bridge that gap, reminding his dad that the administration had changed and it was time to come home.
Navigating Glenn Rogers Sr Street Today
If you’re heading to a game or visiting the stadium, here’s the practical stuff you need to know. The official address for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is now 335 Glenn Rogers Sr Street, Memphis, TN 38104.
- Location: It replaces the section of Hollywood Street between Southern Avenue and Union Avenue.
- Traffic Tip: During game days, this area is a zoo. If you don't have a season parking pass, you actually can't use the access points directly on Glenn Rogers Sr Street. You're better off hitting Access 10 on East Parkway.
- The Vibe: It’s more than just a road. It’s part of the "Liberty Park" redevelopment. The city is pouring millions into this area, and having Rogers' name on the marquee of that growth is a big statement about who Memphis wants to be now.
It’s easy to get caught up in the "first Black player" label and forget the human being. Rogers has talked about the racism he faced in the classrooms and on the field. He’s mentioned that he never expected this kind of recognition. When he was standing there at the dedication ceremony in October 2024, surrounded by Mayor Paul Young and UofM President Bill Hardgrave, it wasn't just about a sign. It was about a city finally looking a man in the eye and saying, "We see what you did."
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Actionable Next Steps
If you want to experience the history of Glenn Rogers Sr Street firsthand or learn more about the era it represents, here is what you can do:
Visit the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Don’t just drive by. Park nearby and walk the stretch of the street. There are historical markers and plaques around the stadium area that detail the integration of Memphis athletics. It hits different when you’re standing on the actual pavement.
Check out the M Club Hall of Fame
Glenn Rogers Sr. received the Billy J. Murphy Award in 2000. If you’re a sports nut, looking into the M Club records gives you a broader view of the players who built the program from the ground up during the most turbulent decades of the 20th century.
Support Local Memphis Education
Since Rogers spent his life in the school system, consider looking into the Memphis Shelby County Schools' mentorship programs. That’s the real "street" he built—the path for kids in Southside and Hillcrest to find their own way out.
The next time you're stuck in traffic on that road, look at the sign. It’s not just a name. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the hardest walk you’ll ever take is just onto a practice field where nobody wants you to be. That walk changed the map of Memphis forever.