CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Cincydawg on February 25, 2020, 06:56:51 PM
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Many of the Greats had nicknames often appended by some sports journalist, like Galloping Ghost or the Four Horsemen, back in the day. What are some of your favorites? Is this now a lost art?
Broadway Joe always stuck with me as a great nickname. Whatcha got Loran?
Prime Time is not quite as clever IMHO, but decent.
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Johnny Football
as well ass Johnny F-ing Football
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Honey Badger was a great nickname.
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Grossman was 'Sexy Rexy' when he was here. Safety Reggie Nelson was called the Eraser. I assume many DBs have that moniker.
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Pace as the Pancake was good, but idk if it was really a nickname.
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Adrian Peterson had A.D., but idk if that was at OU or after he was drafted. Same with Calvin Johnson's Megatron.
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Champ Bailey
Buster Rhymes, OU split end in 80s.
I.M. Hipp, Nebraska RB in 70s, his real name
Johnny The Jet Rodgers.
Jake the Snake Plummer even if it was borrowed.
Rocket Ismail.
Cadillac Williams.
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One thing I couldn't believe when I researched it...Plummer only had 63 net yards rushing in ASU's magical 1996 season. Must have taken a lot of sacks.
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Rex Burkhead was "sexy Rexy" at UNL
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Brodrick Thomas was the "Sandman"
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12 Gauge for Cardale Jones.
Smooth Jazz for Kenny Guiton (Kenny G)
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Mike Rozier was "Michael Heisman"
Also, from the Triplets of the 1983 Scoring explosion was Irving the "Flyer" Fryer
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Tom "Trainwreck" Novak
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Best nickname ever was "Night Train"
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Brodrick Thomas was the "Sandman"
My objection to that was I believe he gave himself that nickname and that ain't cool. Putting the QB to sleep iirc. Keith Jackson abused him in that '86 game, among others. Thomas was a great OLB though.
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Rufus Ferguson - Roadrunner
https://youtu.be/kPtCGdCrRfA
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Elroy Hirsch - Crazy Legs
https://www.facebook.com/Rams/videos/10155432467218484/
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Crazy Legs was a great name. Think of all the great players who had no nickname, really, including Bo and Herschel (that stuck, other than their first names).
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Ohio State linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer was known as Big Kat. Jack Tatum was also called the Assassin, however after the hit a Darryl Stingley, that one seems a little insensitive.
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Crazy Legs was a great name. Think of all the great players who had no nickname, really, including Bo and Herschel (that stuck, other than their first names).
Bo was his nickname. His given name was Vincent. Obviously it has left little impression.
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https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/cfb-150-top-10-player-nicknames-in-college-football-history/1brzcwmzh1qbn13ux102al0w76 (https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/cfb-150-top-10-player-nicknames-in-college-football-history/1brzcwmzh1qbn13ux102al0w76)
Whizzer White is pretty good. Ironhead is good. The Fridge we missed. Rocket Ismail.
I like Broadway Joe better than some of these.
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Bo was his nickname. His given name was Vincent. Obviously it has left little impression.
True, but I think he was "Bo" when he was a kid.
Jackson, the eighth of ten children, was born on November 30, 1962 and raised in Bessemer, Alabama (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessemer,_Alabama). He was named after Vince Edwards (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Edwards), his mother's favorite actor. His family described him as a "wild boar hog", as he would constantly get into trouble. He attended school in McCalla (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCalla,_Alabama), where he rushed for 1,175 yards as a running back as a high school senior. Jackson hit twenty home runs in 25 games for McAdory's baseball team during his senior season. He was a two-time state champion in the decathlon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decathlon).[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Jackson#cite_note-7) Both times that he was the decathlon state champion, he built up such a commanding points lead before the 1500 meters that he never competed in that event. "Distance is the only thing I hate about track", he said.[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Jackson#cite_note-8) In 1982, Jackson set state school records for indoor high jump (6'9") and triple jump (48'8").[9] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Jackson#cite_note-9)
Twenty HRs in 25 games in HS. I pitched against a kid who became the top draft choice that year. We were told not to throw anything near the plate. No kidding, I threw three inside and then a curve well outside at 3-0 and he reached out and hit it into center field, was caught, but he was trying to hit anything because no one would pitch to him. I was 15 at the time, full of P and V, but I wouldn't pitch to him. His second AB he grounded out to short on the first pitch I got a little too close to the plate, but still a foot inside.
I imagine Bo hit as well as this guy or better (Mike Ivie was his name).
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Bo could do it all. He'd probably could have been a helluva tennis or ice hockey player if he put his mind to it.
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I think that about Jordan as well. Had either played soccer, they probably would have excelled as well. Rugby. Tennis. Baseball (Michael tried of course).
Baseball is "hard". At Fantasy Camp, we duffs play the pros the last day. Each team has a pitching coach and main coach, and the pitching coach pitches to your team. Most of the pitchers have bad arms and can't throw much over 65 mph*. Our team's coach was in the majors last year, and he was gunning it. He told me later he was throwing about 80% except the last pitch he threw me which he said was 100%. I'd guess it was 92 mph.
I managed to foul off a couple of his earlier pitches. The last pitch was silly. And he wasn't mixing in any curves or sliders of course, just heat. Now, I'm old and slow obviously but I would not hit any of that had I been 20.
He announced his presence with authority.
*Marvin Freeman was another exception but he was not there this year.
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Baseball is a game. Its players are not athletes. Ask John Kruk.
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Some players are not elite level athletes, true. Some are. One of our pros is Brian Jordan who played in the NFL (and in baseball). He's 53 and still chiseled.
He said the hardest hit he ever had in the NFL was from Jerry Rice.
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If we allow "Bo" to be in this group, and I'm for it, it's a fantastic nickname IMHO.
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Baseball is a game. Its players are not athletes. Ask John Kruk.
Kruk is a guy I'd like to have on my side in a bar fight, that's for sure. He may not be an "athlete" in the purest sense of the word, but he could probably kick most men's asses, even though he's pushing 60.
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And while we're on the subject, while not exactly nicknames, what athletes could be considered mononymic? I think that's a bigger deal in Latin America (Pele, Ronaldinho, etc) but there are a select few superstars who could be just referred by their first names and most folks would know exactly who they are.
Ichiro definitely qualifies. LeBron, kinda-sorta.
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The Babe Herschel Bo MJ Tiger
You need not only to be great but also to have a singular moniker, not "Joe".
In the context of golf, Jack is clear cut.
Deon?
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Baseball is a game. Its players are not athletes. Ask John Kruk.
Football players don't need to be in shape. Just ask Jay Cutler...
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He could have been something. Nickname instead is Pouty Face.
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Speaking of baseball, during Fantasy Camp at least half the players blow out their legs during camp, and most are in the 30-40 age range and thought they were in shape.
Then you have associated arm injuries, sliding injuries, arm fatigue, bruises from bouncing balls abd HBP. I have learned the hard way what is needed and survived pretty well this year though I was sore at the banquet, I was still walking normally. It was amusing to see 35 year olds hobbling up to collect their award.
All the newbies said it was a LOT harder than they expected. There is at least one guy who is 74, but I'm probably next oldest.
Of course, a player who is say 30 and a real player won't have these issues except for the typical baseball injuries over 162 games. They all say they were all bruised up and sore after the first month.
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How about Bob "Hitman" Sanders.
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My objection to that was I believe he gave himself that nickname and that ain't cool. Putting the QB to sleep iirc. Keith Jackson abused him in that '86 game, among others. Thomas was a great OLB though.
I thought he brought that name with him from the Dallas high school
we could ask Burnt Eyes
the Sandman bought Burnt and I shots in Lincoln after a Horn game there
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There used to be a guy in the CFL named Spaghetti Legs.
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How about Bob "Hitman" Sanders.
Dirty hit Sanders?
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(Not NCAA)RAMS LB Hacksaw Reynolds supposedly sawed a VW Beetle in half
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(Not NCAA)Indians use to have an outfielder Walter "No Neck" Williams and if you saw him he didn't appear to have one.Browns had Joe "Turkey" Jones - he fell for the free thanksgiving bird prank, 2-years straight.Had to drive 2 hrs out of town to pick it up and it wasn't there.Dodgers had a relief man Don Stanhouse - nicknamed "Stan The Man Unusual" because he was out there.Jimmy Piersall who once ran around the bases backwords said in the 50's "I'm not crazy and I have the papers to prove it"
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(Not NCAA)RAMS LB Hacksaw Reynolds supposedly sawed a VW Beetle in half
Bo Jackson leaped over one.
Ha, if rural southerners pronounced their Rs better, he'd have been known as Boar Jackson.
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Dirty hit Sanders?
Loved watching Bob play back in the early 00s.
That said, he's fortunate the targeting rule wasn't in effect at that time.
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I think my favorite would be "Bo" for its simplicity and recognizability. But, it wasn't a football nickname.
Crazy Legs is excellent IMHO. The Galloping Ghost is pretty neat, and shows that it was created in that era, no one today would contrive such a moniker.
Ironhead is pretty cool.
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Mark "The Bird" Fidrych
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How about Bruce "I can't live on $700,000" Sutter
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The Galloping Ghost is definitely a good example of an early sports nickname, but hardly the first. Cy Young and Cap Anson got Red (another nickname, heh) Grange beat by several decades.
And if Cy, Cap, and Galloping Ghost sound dated, "Old Hoss" Radbourn and "Orator Jim" O'Rourke say, hold my beer. Those are some 19th century type nicknames for sure.
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Charlie Hustle is a good name, but not sure he was called this by fellow players
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I thought it was Mickey Mantle that coined that (and not in a friendly manner). Pete Rose took it and ran with it.
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I was "Charlie Hustle" in Little League. I would play catch endlessly and I knew I wasn't fast, so I ran all-out every time, etc. My coach loved it.
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I received the "Hustle Award" at fantasy camp this year. I chuckled a bit, but I think because I was the second oldest guy and was still able to run on the last day got it for me. I don't think I particularly hustled at anything, I went first to third a couple of times and had two doubles. It's surprising how hard it is to run 180 feet, I find.
I also slid once in an effort to break up a double play, but my slide stopped about a foot from second base because I am so slow .... I laughed.
I'm pretty sure I am a 7-8 second 40 time now. I tried to time myself in the hundred down at the track and my watch ran out of power.
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the sun dial ran out of light?
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the sun dial ran out of light?
Well, morning put it back on track. Man, I am slow now. Really really slow.
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I received the "Hustle Award" at fantasy camp this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj23_nDFSfE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj23_nDFSfE)
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the sun dial ran out of light?
Didn't they throw salt on the slugs to keep from lapping you?Until they put the clubs and a case of Bud Fat at home plate
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And if Cy, Cap, and Galloping Ghost sound dated, "Old Hoss" Radbourn and "Orator Jim" O'Rourke say, hold my beer. Those are some 19th century type nicknames for sure.
He was a trivia question before the interwebz.Remember looking him up in the Almanac/Encyclopedia he had 60 some wins one season.OK looked it up and in 1884 with the Providence Grays he had 59 or 60 wins depending on who you wanted to believe
Also noted was - Radbourn is also known for being the first person photographed gesturing the middle finger (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_finger). In 1886, an image was captured of him "flipping off" a member of the New York Giants in a team photo.
Hell that right there gets him into the HOF,IMO
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Those old names are pretty fun indeed.
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I've always been very slow
born 8 weeks premature in 1962 - very flat feet and a short Achilles tendon in my left foot
I'm walking proof that white men can't jump
more well suited to golf or horseshoes
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I could run decently "OK" in my 20s and 30s for a big guy. When I played baseball I had a green light all the time, and rarely was thrown out. This was in part because the catchers didn't have great arms of course. Maybe in large part.
I worked on my quads and got more stride and then noticed my hammies were sore, and then groin. I do a lot of stretching along with resistance stuff.
I got a bit of jump back, not much. I could jump OK, enough to dunk, but not easily, just barely, I couldn't touch rim now.
Nothing but net.
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I've always been very slow
born 8 weeks premature in 1962 - very flat feet and a short Achilles tendon in my left foot
I'm walking proof that white men can't jump
more well suited to golf or horseshoes
They would've called you Ice Wagon back then. I read a fair amount of baseball books during dead ball era and 19th century. That insult comes up a fair amount.
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They would've called you Ice Wagon back then .That insult comes up a fair amount.
What about ambulance chaser? I'll show myself out
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Those old names are pretty fun indeed.
High Pockets Kelly
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A few Dawgs nicknames I like:
DL: Richard “Le Sack” Tardits
DL: Eddie “Meat Cleaver” Weaver
Rodrigo “Hot Rod” Blakenship
OL: Mike “Moonpie” Wilson
OL: Joel “Cowboy” Parrish*
RB: Vernon “Catfish” Smith*
RB: Andre “Pulpwood” Smith
RB: “Flatfoot” Frankie Sinkwich*
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There was a mediocre pitcher in the 19th C named Egyptian Healy. As far as I could tell the only reason he had that name was his hometown being Cairo, IL, which as anyone from these parts knows is pronounced K-row.
There is an entry in the the very first edition Baseball Encyclopedia (its huge) which I own which lists a player as Icebox. There is no other known name, just Icebox.
Btw: Mickey mantle was named after Mickey Cochrane.
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Babe
The Sultan of Swat
The Colossus of Clout
The Bambino
The Big Bam
The King of Crash
The Maharajah of Mash
The Behemoth of Bust
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Back to football....
Mr. inside & Mr. Outside
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Great Dayne
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The Freak (Randy Moss and Jevon Kearse)
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Nigerian Nightmare (NFL)
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In all of American sports, what is the most recognized, that is not a name given before the player because famous?
The Babe?
I wonder how widely known that is today among the youth of 'Mericuh.
I thought of another baseball one I like, Stretch McCovey. Baseball has some great ones. The Say Hey kid. Hammerin' Hank, though that includes his name. Maybe George Herman was called the Babe before he was famous too. The Big Unit. Mad Dog. Do folks recognize who that is here? Nuke LaLousche. Oh, wait.
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'The Great One'
"The Splendid Splinter"
The Yankee Clipper
The Big Hurt
Sweetness
Chocolate Thunder
The Say Hey Kid
Mr. October
He Hate Me
The Big O
Boom Boom
The Bayonne Bleeder
Hands of Stone
Smokin' Joe
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Boxing ones are the worst, because they're virtually required.
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I like The Bayonne Bleeder
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Magic was Magic before being famous.
The worst nicknames are when people add 'ey' or 'y' or 'ie'.
Jonesy
Brownsey
Smitty
Cubbie
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Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves manager for many years) add the "y" to nearly everyone's name. Not everyone, Steve Avery was "Aves". He chopped the y.
Greg Maddux was "Mr. Maddux.".
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Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves manager for many years) add the "y" to nearly everyone's name.
I think that's across baseball.
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Being a baseball card collector during the late 80's - early 90's hayday, my favorite nickname has got to be Oil Can Boyd. I think I have 7-8 copies of his '90 Donruss.
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Adrian Peterson had A.D., but idk if that was at OU or after he was drafted. Same with Calvin Johnson's Megatron.
With Peterson, it went back to his days in Palestine, TX.
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Elroy Hirsch - Crazy Legs
https://www.facebook.com/Rams/videos/10155432467218484/
Was Hirsch Jewish?
I ask because of the dreidels.
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Hirsch was born in Wausau, Wisconsin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wausau,_Wisconsin) in 1923.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-PFR-1) He was the adopted son of German-Norwegian parents, Otto and Mayme Hirsch.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-Marathon-2) His father was a foreman in an iron works.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-Marathon-2)[3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-3)
Hirsch was a star football player at Wausau High School (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wausau_East_High_School) in 1939 and 1940.[4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-4)[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-5) He also played baseball (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball) and basketball (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball) in high school.[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-LAT-6)
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I don't know if he picked it up in college playing for the SW (Oklahoma) State Teachers Bulldogs or while he was HFC at OU during WWII, but Dewey Luster's nickname was "Snorter."
Joe Washington's nickname was "Little Joe," but Barry Switzer called him "Smoke." As in "through a keyhole."
Greg Pruitt was "Hello-Goodbye."
DL Raymond Hamilton was "Sugar Bear."
Keith Jackson was (at least to some OU fans) "No Relation," alluding to the broadcaster.
Joe Don Looney didn't have a nickname, but his last name described him pretty well.
NG Granville Liggins was "Granny."
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Hirsch was born in Wausau, Wisconsin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wausau,_Wisconsin) in 1923.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-PFR-1) He was the adopted son of German-Norwegian parents, Otto and Mayme Hirsch.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-Marathon-2) His father was a foreman in an iron works.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-Marathon-2)[3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-3)
Hirsch was a star football player at Wausau High School (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wausau_East_High_School) in 1939 and 1940.[4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-4)[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-5) He also played baseball (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball) and basketball (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball) in high school.[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elroy_Hirsch#cite_note-LAT-6)
Hmmm. Weird seeing the dreidels. They're not normally associated with NFL football legends.