REAL Football Fans Know These Players By Their Nicknames. Can You Name All 25?
- by Piyush Jain
- – on
- in Sports
All sports players dream of going down in history, and many achieve this dream. What is even more awesome and entertaining is when fans remember a player just by their nickname. They hear the nickname and immediately the player’s jersey number, their player stats, and especially their face come to mind. You know you’ve made it in the sports world when people bestow a nickname upon you. Take for example Magic Johnson, the legendary basketball player whose first name is really Earvin. He was dubbed “Magic” in high school because he “recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists.” Magic, indeed! And now no one will ever forget his name!
Nicknames are not only given in the basketball world though, they are also part of the colorful and eventful world of American football. The National Football League (NFL) is full of players who have been graced with colorful nicknames, from “Sweetness” to monikers like “Refrigerator.” Perhaps names are a testament not only to a player’s skills and stats, but the aura of these players as well. We suppose there could only ever be one “Magic,” “Black Mamba,” or “Babe Ruth.” So the question is: do you know your American football players? If so, can you identify them just by their nicknames? Take this quiz to find out!
Who is known as “Prime Time?”
Now working as an analyst for CBS Sports and the NFL Network, Primetime was a former American football player and baseball player too. He was mostly a cornerback, but also a kick returner and punt returner. His teams included the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Dallas Cowboys to name a few. How did he get this nickname? Well, he actually earned it way back in high school, when he played pickup basketball during the “prime time” TV hours.
Who is “Refrigerator?”
Refrigerator is probably not a name anyone would think to ascribe to another person, but here it is! Also sometimes called “The Fridge,” this is described as one of the “all-time classics.” Apparently, it’s his teammate that gave him the nickname (perhaps inadvertently?), because when this player shared an elevator with his teammate Ray Brown, the latter reportedly said, “[man], you’re about as big as a refrigerator,” because he could barely fit! Even as far back as high school, this player weighed in at a whopping 295 pounds!
Who is “The Assassin”?
Judging just by his nickname, this player sounds deadly! Given that football is such a physical game, it really says something about a player if that person as earned the nickname, The Assassin. So what earned this NFL player such an ominous moniker? It was all due to his playing style, sometimes described as dirty or questionable, in terms of legality. In fact, a particularly violent tackle made in 1978 resulted in the unfortunate incident of Darryl Stingley getting paralyzed.
Who is “Beast Mode?”
In common parlance, Beast Mode would describe people who are ruthless and extremely perseverant - so perhaps the same could be said of this NFL player? Described as “impossible to stop” when he starts moving. He is remembered for a 67-yard touchdown run which, “literally caused the earth to shake!” Now who wouldn’t remember this beast of a player? He was a member of the Seattle Seahawks when he won the Super Bowl XLVIII. His powerful running style apparently did not only propel his career in football but helped him launch a Beast Mode clothing line too.
Who was “A-Train?”
This man is called A-Train, simply because he demolished anyone who stood in his way. A truly unstoppable element, he was one of the most well-known and dominant fullbacks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He only played for the Buccaneers, but his love for football did not start there. He played football during his time in college at Purdue University. He did quite well there too, as the first player in their school’s history to be MVP for three consecutive seasons.
Who’s called “Night Train?”
Be careful not to confuse Night Train with A-Train, because they’re two different people, nicknamed after trains for different reasons. Though seemingly ominous and frightening, the origin of this nickname is quite adorable. While it is rumored that Night Train was afraid of flying to his games, preferring to take the train instead, that may not have been true. In fact, it’s also suggested that Night Train was named after the popular song by Jimmy Forrest. Regardless of the reason, he’s also memorable for his ferocious tackles which were given a nickname of their very own: The Night Train Necktie.
Who is “Megatron?”
No, we’re not talking about Transformers - this nickname does indeed belong to an American football player. But what earned him such an intimidating and technologically impressive name? It’s simple: his hands were so huge. They would not look too out of place alongside those gigantic robots. It’s his teammate Roy Williams who saw something in him, stating in an interview that “Megatron is a different athlete.” He might just be out of this world with his huge hands and his exceptional football skills. He did break Jerry Rice’s single-season record for receiving yards, after all.
Who was called “Mean Joe?”
Though his first name is not really Joe, there are at least two explanations as to why he is called Mean Joe. Could it be because of his football skills? Or perhaps a testament to his interpersonal relationships? There are, in fact, a couple of rumors swirling around the origin of this nickname. One story featured a spectacular tackle by Mean Joe, with the wife of the university’s sports information director saying, “That’s the way Mean Greene!” Another story featured students chanting “Mean Green you look so good to me” as a cheer.
Who was known as “Too Tall?”
You may not think it possible, but this player was thought to be too tall to play the game. And don’t go talking yourself in circles trying to guess just why in the world that’s his nickname; it’s literally because he was deemed too tall to play football. Standing at 6 feet and 9 inches, his teammates during practice bestowed this moniker upon him because his pants would not quite fit the way they were supposed to. The name stuck, but he wasn’t too tall to play football; in fact, he made three Pro Bowls and was a Super Bowl XII Champion.
Who is called “Sweetness?”
“Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said…” is a nice song, but this song by The Smiths is not the source of this player’s saccharine moniker. The origin of his name is actually vague, but it started sometime in college. It is thought that this nickname was given to this player either because of his personality or because of his “graceful yet powerful” presence on the field. He also won three NFL MVP awards and was a focal point of the 1985 Chicago Bears.
Who’s “Ironhead?”
Ironhead would seem like an obvious nickname to give someone if their head measures an 8 ¾ hat size and they can take a pool cue to the head without flinching! This NFL player gained this nickname when he related the pool incident to his grandmother, who called him Ironhead. Though it’s also no surprise that in his football career he would be insanely strong. His obituary in The New York Times stated, “[his] head had to be made of iron,” when an opponent related how it hurt so much when he tackled him.
“Concrete Charlie” is which NFL player?
Ironhead, A-Train, and The Assassin. These are names that are a testament to the strength, fortitude, and skills of football players. So if you hear the nickname concrete you might think it is because his sturdiness matches that of a fortified wall. Or maybe it is because his tackles are a testament to his super strength? No, not at all! It’s because he was a concrete salesman for the Warner Company when he wasn’t playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. His achievements, however, included winning two NFL Championships and making the Pro Bowl eight times.
Who is “Deebo?”
It sounds funny with a hint of adorable. Surely Deebo is the name of a hilarious film character, and not an NFL sports star? You might be surprised to find out that it’s actually both. Deebo is actually a character from the 1995 film Friday. This Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker shares that name, as well as going by “Silverback,” both of which were given to him by his teammates. Maybe he’s just so tough on the field, or he likes to have some fun with his teammates? Either way, his achievements include winning two Super Bowls and making five Pro Bowls.
Who’s called “Deacon?”
Does Deacon remind you of men in religious outfits? Good, because that’s exactly what Deacon wanted people to remember saying, “Football is a violent world and Deacon has a religious connotation. I thought a name like that would be remembered.” Also, it’s because he didn’t like that his name was fairly common. And his nickname is just as well, because his legacy is one for the books. He coined the quarterback “sacks,” a technique he specialized in, and he was also dubbed one of the greatest defensive players ever.
Who was “Bullet?”
In the world of football, it helps to be fast if you want to do well in the game. But this player, who goes by Bullet, must be something else entirely! He actually competed in the Summer Olympics, where he won gold for the 100-m dash and 4x100-meter relay. Then he went on to develop his football career in 1965. He made three straight Pro Bowls. Of course, his amazing bullet-like speed won’t be hard to appreciate in the world of American football.
Who is “Broadway Joe?”
It must be the New Yorker in him! Often seen partying in New York, and featured on a Sports Illustrated cover standing in the middle of Broadway, Broadway Joe is clearly the only name that suits this player. He’s also one of the most memorable and influential football players in NFL history. He “guaranteed a Jets’ victory” in Super Bowl III, ranked 96 in The Sporting News’ 100 Greatest Football Players, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Who is called “The Bus?”
Perhaps it’s a bit obvious that a man who is a whopping 5 feet and 11 inches tall and weighs 260 pounds would be called The Bus. This player was a halfback who played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his achievements include a Super Bowl Championship and making the Pro Bowl six times. But this nickname originates way back in the Notre Dame school newspaper, and then again because of radio commentator Myron Cope. Apparently, this player could “carry multiple defenders on his back, like a bus ride.”
Who is the “Nigerian Nightmare?”
There may not be that many Nigerian-American players in the NFL, but one has really made a mark: the Kansas City Chiefs,’ The Nigerian Nightmare. This nickname was given to him because he had a particularly powerful running style and the “ability to break tackles.” Though he initially did not want to participate in football, as he found it to rough, his friends urged him to continue playing. His awards include making the Pro Bowl twice and the being named to Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame.
Who was “Bambi?”
A huge, rough-looking American football player may not be what you imagine when first hearing the name Bambi. In fact, we’re sure it’s going to be the adorable baby deer from the Disney films. But hey, who said it can’t be both? In fact, this San Diego Chargers wide receiver is a pretty amazing player, having garnered such achievements as the Super Bowl VI championship and the AFL Championship in 1963. Why is his nickname Bambi? It is because of his “slender build, grace and speed” not to mention his leaping ability.
Who was “The Minister of Defense?”
You must be a pretty great defense player when you’re literally dubbed the Minister of Defense! This player was the defensive end not only for the Philadelphia Eagles, but also for the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and won the Super Bowl XXXI Championship. Besides his awesome defense skills, he was also an ordained Evangelical minister, hence the nickname The Minister of Defense. It actually all makes perfect sense!
Who was “The Samurai?”
This may not be the first profession that comes to mind when you think of calling people Samurai, but then again this NFL player isn’t wielding samurai swords like the ancient Japanese warriors. This player is called The Samurai because of the “intimidating focus and intensity he displayed on the field.” Though at one point he was nicknamed the “Minister of Defense,” that nickname would later be given to another player (as suggested in the previous question). Besides being a Super Bowl champion, he is a 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and an NFL Man of the Year.
Who was called “The Playmaker?”
Did the game play him or did he play the game? A player for the Dallas Cowboys, he was not only an American football player, he also an actor and sports commentator. He started his football career in high school, and continued on in college, when he played for the University of Miami. He was nicknamed The Playmaker because of “his penchant for making big plays in big games.” Basically, he set a lot of records. He made the Pro Bowl five times and has garnered 3 Super Bowl Championships.
Who was “Weapon X?”
It seems like a sinister, secret silver-bullet that the Philadelphia Eagles or the Denver Broncos would bring out at the most crucial part of the game. But no, this is actually one of their players, though, with his skills, he might as well be a mutant like those in X-Men. In fact, he gained the nickname because he had a reputation of being “a hard-hitting ball hawk.” Weapon X is, in fact, Wolverine’s code name. And we all know Wolverine has extreme fortitude and aggression.
Who is “Slash?”
If DC Comics had The Flash then the National Football League has their Slash! Just who is this Slash anyway? He played for three teams in the NFL over eleven years: The Pittsburgh Steelers, The Chicago Bears, and The Baltimore Ravens. Throughout his career he played as quarterback and as a wide receiver - making him one of the more versatile players out there. In fact, he was ranked 6th on the “10 Most Versatile Players in NFL History” by the NFL Network. It was because of this flexibility that a radio commentator gave him this nickname.
Who was called “The Ghost?”
This NFL star explained that he was given this nickname by Denny Murphy when he was a freshman saying, “I think everybody should have a nickname. I'm from Wisconsin, my father’s from Wisconsin, everybody had a nickname up there.” It was also alleged that it was because of Casper the Ghost. He made one of the most memorable plays called “Ghost to the Post” (a 42-yard pass from Ken Stabler to the Ghost). He also won a Super Bowl championship and made the Pro Bowl five times.