The lefty was also a six-time Stanley Cup Champion and winner of multiple awards. Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. Name: Jesse Owens. He is alsoknown for his 10-year reign asmiddleweightworld champion and setting a record for defending it 20 consecutive times. We have to say it: "He'll stomp on a child's testicles, but he won't poop on a pigeon.". Just as important as his stats to his legacy are the monikers we have come to know and fondly use to remember him. The Celtics' big man averaged 22.5 rebounds in his career; between his mastery of the . Forever remembered for his involvement in the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson was known for his lightning-quick feet and agility, earning the moniker that would become inseparable from his legacy. Nash led the league in assists five times. As of 1999 . While his nickname is creative, it is also a prime example of racial prejudice and bigotry. His #13 is retired by both the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Miami Dolphins, and he is the greatest quarterback to ever wear the number. One look at the high-flying X-Games star, and it's easy to see why he is called "The Flying Tomato.". His nickname, Louisiana Lightning, is an all-timer. He is the only player in the history of the league to receive this honor. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of the players. The nickname seems to describe his abilities perfectly, and Jordan and the moniker are now inseparable. Emmitt Smith. This is a list of sportspeople with nicknames. His moniker was given to him by teammates for his dribbling skills and ability to go "coast-to-coast," covering the entire floor from a rebound on defense to a layup on the other end. No list of the best athletes is complete without "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali. Sandy Koufax (Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers) 2. Payton is no exception and quickly garnered the nickname "Sweetness" for his ability to make plays, and slide through the defense with ease. The over-sized running back looked like a bus carrying opponents on his back while being dressed in yellow and black. Rumor has it, the pitcher wanted to return to the majors in 2008 at the tender age of 49, reports the Boston Globe. Salley was also a co-host for "Best Damn Sports Show Period," alongside Tom Arnold and Chris Rose. LINK Famous athletes who wore the number 32: 1. Wagner recorded over 3,400 hits in his career with theLouisville Colonels(18971899), andPittsburgh Pirates(19001917), in a time known as the "Dead Ball" era when pitchers reigned supreme. The long red locks flowing from his helmet while he seems impenetrable by gravity seems to make this nickname non-inventive, but still a perfect fit. Aaron's nickname epitomizes his performance at the plate. In any event, Mays is one of the best players to grace a Major League field and will forever be known as, "The Say Hay Kid.". Mookie Blaylock could have been the name of a famous band. The tall glass of water got his famous alias from multiple sources: According to Paige, his nickname originated from childhood work toting bags at the train station. A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. Not only is Wei a three-time Olympic silver medalist, he is also the first badminton player to have kept the #1 world ranking for three years. The world's 50 highest-paid athletes collected an astounding $2.97 billion before taxes and agents' fees over the last 12 months, smashing last year's record total by 8%more than $200 . "Sugar" Ray Leonard owes his legendary moniker-alias toSarge Johnson, assistant coach of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Birth City: Oakville. This May, he earned his second UEFA Champions League title and scored in the Final against Atletico Madrid. The school's mascot is the Owl and the obvious lack of a vowel letter in his last name was the second half of a legendary nickname. Jim Thorpe. Twenty-three is the number . Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs) 7. "While doing the research on why someone would name their child "Eldrick," it was discovered the nickname "Tiger" was given to him by his father. 79, which is kind of interesting, but a few football players have. This is one of the most fitting nicknames on the countdown. He then cemented his status as a hockey legend when he secured ownership of the Penguins and stopped them from moving to Kansas City. Also called "Golden Joe"and "Comeback Joe," Joe Montana earned his nickname for his ability to stay calm under pressure and come through in the clutch with key passes and throwing accuracy. 4 in assists and Nash, another who wore No. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? Vande Velde's View: My ability to discern "Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing, Chapter 5", "NSMB.e.MAGAZINE Freeride, Extreme and North Shore style Mountain Biking", "The King of BMX. He spent 12 years in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. Wagner was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1936, gaining 95.13 percent of the vote. The nickname got so huge that Simpson's offensive line became known as "The Electric Company," since "Juice" isalso a colloquial synonym for electricity or electrical power. In related news, the US Congress prosecuted a rocket for perjury for the first time in history. The #7 shirt at Liverpool has a long and storied history that has seen some of the clubs best players wear the number. When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. August 10, 2021 9:00 am. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. Payton is also likely the best player to ever play at Oregon State University, with A.C. Green, Brent Barry and Corey Benjamin in the discussion. Robinson broke Major Leagues Baseball color barrier, becoming the first black man to play in the league since the 1880s. As a pass-rusher, Perry dominated offensive backfields and was constantly in the head of opposing quarterbacks. Elway possessed an uncanny ability to lead his teams to victory when they trailed late in games. Players could put whatever name they wanted back there, and Smart's "He Hate Me" was the best of them all. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. Williams said he had wanted the No. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. . He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". The Hall of Famer battled through segregation to become one of the greatest left-handed hitters in Major League Baseball history. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. Playing for the University ofColoradoBuffaloes in 1994, Kordell Stewart completed a Hail Mary passto beat theUniversity of Michigan27-26, a play known as "The Miracle at Michigan.". There's something about being a football player while making a living in Chicago that attracts nicknames like a moth to a flame. The former Super Bowl champion New York Giant gained the nickname due to his large stature and semi-rare left-handedness. Smith is a 15-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove Winner and a 1982 World Series Champion with the St. Louis Cardinals. Olajuwon's first name was spelled "Akeem" in his college days at the University of Houston and early into his NBA career. 2 Deion Sanders, CB, Florida State (1985-88) Focus on Sport/Getty Images. This nickname was bound to happen, seeing as how his last name is so closely spelled to "goose," and there were no other candidates that could top it. George Herman Ruth, better known as The Babe, the Sultan of Swat, or the Great Bambino was the greatest hitter during one the greatest eras in the history of baseball. Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. There are many different stories explaining the origin of the "Say Hey" nickname, but the most common descriptions is as follows: When Mays was coming up in the minor leagues, he moved so frequently through the ranks he didn't know very many of his teammates names. Steve Nash - Jackson is No. But when the band was told they couldn't use his name as their band moniker, they adopted his other nickname and became known as "Pearl Jam," a name that also has rumors to its origins. He played his entire career from 1995-2001 with the Vancouver Grizzlies. The multi-sport star was perhaps one of the biggest self-promoters the sports world has ever seen but also a very talented individual. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. When he was not allowed to play with his friends on the peewee team due to his size, he was told he must play with older kids. An eight-time Pro Bowl . Gender: Male. He was often compared to film character Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (played byCharlie Sheen) in the1989David S. Wardfilm Major League. The Nigerian giant stood 7-feet tall and weighed 255 pounds in his playing days. The mobile thrower has nearly 30,000 passing and 4,000 rushing yards to his name. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) 3. "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". Jeter was the cornerstone of the Yankees during their tremendous success in the 1990s and 2000s. The program will chronicle Tyson's love for pigeon racing. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. "Joltin' " refers to his speed and ability to get a jump on the ball off the bat in the outfield and his smart baserunning abilities. "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". Birth Country: United States. However, he only made one broadway appearance, covered here by Wikipedia: "he made his only appearance on Broadway as a cast replacement in a revival ofThe Caine Mutiny Court Martial. Numbers are now considered a common feature for uniforms in every team sport. For most of his career, Jordan sported the #23, except for one season during which he donned #45 after his return from retirement. . The durable fire-baller still holds the MLB record for career strikeouts and still fields questions about the day he plunked Ventura and subsequently pummeled him after getting him in a head-lock on the mound. His image has been slightly tarnished after he admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs after many published media reports. Beginning in March, Tyson will be featured in a six-part series on Animal Planet entitled, "Taking on Tyson." He used the technique of crouching with his left arm out to fight opponents, and experienced many successes. His #32 has been retired by the Cleveland Browns. Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all-time, with six NBA titles, five MVP awards, and fourteen All-Star Game appearances. Mo Farah. "Apparently, White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson tagged Thomas with the nickname "Big Hurt" because that's exactly what he does to opposing pitchers. Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. Paige is considered one of the best pitchers to play baseball, and it is a crying shame he didn't get a chance to enter the Major Leagues sooner than he did. Naim Sleymanolu (Weightlifting)- Pocket Hercules. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. 23 Other. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . He is best known for his unusual running style, which some say he developed running cross legged over four square cement sidewalk blocks in his home town. The World Golf Hall of Fame member is a legend in the game, and his "Golden Bear" moniker has led to many endorsements and products that "bear" his name. He was also the second most prolific passer in NFL history, with 51,475 career passing yards, despite only leading the NFL in passing yardage once. He is considered the . 6 also crosses over to baseball. He was a two-time NBA Champion(1994,1995) and member of the1988NBA All-Rookie Team. No. He has been inducted into the Pro and College Football Hall of Fames as well as the Atlanta Falcons ring of honor. . Kuko is considered one of the best wingmen to ever play the game, and therefore might be the only man on the planet capable of gettingFranck Ribry a real date. . His lawyer should have been named "The electric no possibility of victory but still attempting attorney.". HIGHLAND PARK, IL - OCTOBER 21: A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan on October 21, 2013 in Highland Park, Illinois. 88. Between June 2016 and 2017, LeBron earned $86 million. Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972, at age 53. The obvious alliteration is a testament to his power-hitting prowess and home run tally as a player. As time passes, these athletes will be remembered for the accomplishments achieved while wearing their preferred numbers. 1 1. Coolest Nicknames From Non-Traditional Sports. For the fourth year running, Cristiano Ronaldo took the crown as the world's most famous sporting icon in ESPN's World Fame 100. Fans chose to note his pitching by nicknaming him "The Rocket," for the perception of a rocket mounted on his shoulder, in reference to his arm and the velocity of his pitches. "The Owl Without A Vowel" only played one season in the NBA with the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors), but the nickname has stuck with him ever since college. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. Iconic NBA players with number 23 jerseys include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in basketball history. Floyd's nickname is used to describe the consistent look on his face, and how his complexion reminds on-lookers of someone who looks tired or "sleepy.". Kansas City-Omaha Kings ( 75) Jerry McKee. "Three Fingers" Brown was able to throw many pitches that could not be achieved by a man with a full hand. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. 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It seemed so right to give him the nickname, giventhe man many consider to be the best boxer of all-time is also named "Sugar Ray" (Robinson). 33 his college number in his lone year alongside . He appeared in six postseasons with the Dodgers (1949, 195253, 195556, 1959), facing theNew York Yankeesin the first five and theChicago White Soxin the final. But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. 99. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine NFL seasons, led the league in rushing eight times, and earned four MVP awards. and the name stuck. Maravich earned his nickname in high school, from his habit of shooting the ball from his hip, as if firing a revolver. WIZARDS OF CRICKET. Gordon earned his nickname when he burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of 21, when he went 17-9 in his first full season in the majors. Thomas was a dominant hitter and an icon during his playing days with the Chicago White Sox. Parish got his nickname from afictitious Chief Bromden, a silent, giantNative Americancharacter in the filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recognized these qualities and made Johnson head coach of the team in 2004, before Avery moved on to the New Jersey Nets in 2010. There's no inventive story here: "Dr. J" was given to Julius Erving by a high school friend, who watched him play and likened his smoothness with the ball and ability to score like the precision of a doctor performing surgery. 1. White was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection. Follow your favourite Olympic heroes on their journey to the games. Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. Dan Marino, practically reversed the belief that 13 is an unlucky number. Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. 23, even if it was for a short period during his career. Grange got his nickname from Chicago American writer Warren Brown, who dubbed the pasty white-skinned red head "The Galloping Ghost," citing his running style at the University of Illinois. Whatever the case may be, the five-time Negro League All-Star, World Series Champion and Hall of Famer was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, and he wore his moniker with honor. > All Players To Wear Number 23. The legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder had many nicknames, such as:"The Kid","Teddy Ballgame," and"The Thumper.". A list of the greatest athletes to wear the number 22 would be incomplete without one of the NHL's most prolific scorers of the late 1970s/1980s. However, Newton underwent verticalgastrectomy,in February 2010,a surgical operation that removes up to 75 percent of a patient's stomach and staples the remainder. He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). The nickname comes from Wilt's height and slender build and the obvious rhyming of his first name. He retired as the all-time leader in goals scored with 894 and holds the all-time lead in assists with 1,963. Any way you slice it, the man could hit, and the "Splendid Splinter" seems to be the most creative nickname ever concocted for the lefty. From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. Newton was the prime example of how munchies can have devastating effects on your weight and physical appearance. In 1993, he signed the most lucrative contract in NBA history (at that time) to play for the Hornets, a 12-year, $84 million deal. During his time with the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls and led the league in receiving yardage six times. Joel Mason, an Iron River native who was born March 12, 1912 and died Oct. 31, 1995 at the age of 83, was a professional football and basketball player. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. 4: Brett Favre, QB Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers , New York Jets , Minnesota Vikings Other nicknames include "Pillsbury Throwboy," "J. 5 - Joe DiMaggio. Magics versatility allowed him to play all five positions on the court, and he earned three MVP Awards in both the regular season and NBA Finals. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.". History, conspiracies and Jordan: Why 23 is sport's most legendary number Three sports, three icons, all No.23. mark reinstein/Shutterstock. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. When Magic Johnson was drafted with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, he had to change his #33 from Michigan State, which belonged to the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels.