6 - Bill Russell, with special mention to Stan "the Man" Musial and Julius Erving, basketball's "Dr. J.". The Celtics' big man averaged 22.5 rebounds in his career; between his mastery of the . Namath's nickname "Broadway Joe" was given him bySherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate. Jackson was also a prolific hitter, and many historians feel he could have broken several records had he not been banned from baseball after the 1920 season. Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. "The Glide" is a member of the Hall of Fame and captured the 1995 NBA championship with the Houston Rockets. One look at the high-flying X-Games star, and it's easy to see why he is called "The Flying Tomato.". Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. Orenthal James was shortened to O.J., which is an acronym shared by "Orange Juice," and there you have it. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." During his time with the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls and led the league in receiving yardage six times. 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. Best Known For: American track and . The Rock is just too famous of a nickname to not put on this list. Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses. Lemieux was rewarded for his efforts with a third Stanley Cup, which he won as the owner in 2009. Before these famous images went viral, Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's "Golden Boy," a heavy-hitter with a squeaky-clean image. As if the Venezuelan pitcher needs any more names,Garcs' tongue-in-cheek nickname is a poke at his stature, and friends and teammates commonly refer to him by his moniker. But we know him best for the TV personality aspect. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. There are those names that just seemsoright. Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. The "Golden Bear" moniker given to the famous golfer was the result of Melbourne Age writer Don Lawrencereferring to the "large, strong, and blond" player as the Golden Bear, and the nickname seemed fitting. Just the mere mention of "The Great One" in reference to hockey brings memories of nearly 900 goals and a memorable trade that landed the hockey star in Los Angeles. The legendary coach lived to be 99-years-old, passing away last June. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. While most think the successful Alabama Crimson Tide coach was named "Bear" for his personality, it was actually given to him as a child. Birth City: Oakville. The iconic hitter earned the nickname "The Flying Dutchman" in his playing days for his speed and nationality. He was a two-time MVP, an . 5 - Joe DiMaggio. "Apparently, White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson tagged Thomas with the nickname "Big Hurt" because that's exactly what he does to opposing pitchers. However, many athletes remain inseparable from their on-field persona and the uniform that they wear. Payton is no exception and quickly garnered the nickname "Sweetness" for his ability to make plays, and slide through the defense with ease. His legacy will live on in college basketball and the hearts of his students forever. Birth Country: United States. His image has been slightly tarnished after he admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs after many published media reports. Name: Jesse Owens. Our most famous number in sports is the former NBA player Michael Jordan's number 23. 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. In Oakland, he had been known as "Jax" and "Buck.". Clayton Kershaw. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. Over the course of his entire sixteen season NFL career, John Elway became regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in history. 99 for years because of an admiration for the football playerMark Gastineau, who also wore No. 13, is right above him at the No. 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. 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 was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. Jones owes his alias to his family, who constantly told him he was "A chip-off-the-old-block," in reference to his father. Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. Applicants are ranked on creativity, unique jargon and consideration of prominence. It has been said that he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds and high jump over six feet. ", The NBA Hall of Fame member and current TNT studio analyst is also known as"Sir Charles.". A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". The Wu-Tang Clan references are as . 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. This list rewards creativity, and while Ali is the greatest boxer ever, his nickname isn't the most creative moniker in sports. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. Truly the champion of the nickname, Ruth is also the symbol of achievement in our nation's greatest past-time. In the realm of all-time nicknames, it is definitely sweet, but it hits the countdown towards the back, because there isn't much back story here, and he's not actually a hitman. No NBA player has ever wore No. Elgin Baylor. famous athletes number 23 nicknamemeat carving knife blank. Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.". 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. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. Moses Malone . Nash led the league in assists five times. James has worn different numbers throughout his career but is probably tied together most with the number 23. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. In the power categories, it's . The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. Marino is one of the most prolific passers in the history of the NFL, amassing 61,361 yards during his seventeen seasons in the league. "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. Parish got his nickname from afictitious Chief Bromden, a silent, giantNative Americancharacter in the filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The amount of spin generated by the mangled bones and missing pieces of his dominant hand had great effects and led to Brown's legendary moniker. He spent 12 years in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. The Canadian ice hockey legend got his moniker from his thundering slap shot, which was said to echo through stands and arenas like a sonic boom. However, it was as a fullback that got him his alias, and it would stick with him long after his playing days were over. Jackie Robisons contribution to baseball and American society are so significant that he holds the honor of being the only player to have his number retired across Major League Baseball. So, Jordan divided it in half and wore #23. His nickname, Louisiana Lightning, is an all-timer. The nickname is cool because it's edgy and impressive, but then when you find out he's a boxer, it just seems kind of lame. 23: The Human Rain Delay (Mike Hargrove) Hargrove got the nickname for the many time-consuming adjustments he would make between pitches. Birth State: Alabama. . If a player did anything to attract attention to themselves, and not the team, he would be benched. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. Why he's here: When you start to look through MLB records for switch-hitters, you begin to put Beltran's stellar career in perspective. Boston's prodigal son, Ortiz has become an icon in Bean Town for his clutch hitting and lovable personality. 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. 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. Gordie Howe is considered one of the best hockey players in history but is also known for his friendly personality, kind demeanor, longevity as a player and prolific goal-scoring. Emmitt Smith. Coincidentally, Roberts adapted his nickname from former Oakland Raiders QB Ken Stabler, who was nicknamed "The Snake" for his ability to slither through opponents when scrambling. There are a couple of stories regarding the origin of Randy Johnson's nickname. The Rams and Jets QB also did several endorsement commercials during his playing days, including this one for pantyhose, no joke. While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. In the News: Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady. Currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, Adam "Pacman" Jones received his nickname as a young child, when it was noted that he could drink his milk as fast as the video game character. Leonard Buck (Baseball) 5. He was often compared to film character Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (played byCharlie Sheen) in the1989David S. Wardfilm Major League. Childhood friend and neighbor, Wilber Hines, said he gave Paige the nickname after he was caught trying to steal a bag. According to Parish, former Celtics forwardCedric Maxwellgave Parish this nickname because of hisstoicnature. Here's a little lesson for all you readers out there, confused as to how he loses one finger and only has three remaining. 5. Publish date: May 25, 2009. . All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. Bill Russell, another legend of the sport, also wore No. A lot of these athletes have worn other numbers as well. Lee Chong Wei. Baseball stars have had success with the number as well with Don Mattingly, Ryne Sandberg, and Zach Greinke thriving with the number 23 in . However, he is also known as "Wild Thing" for his unusual delivery to the plate. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. He was a two-time NBA Champion(1994,1995) and member of the1988NBA All-Rookie Team. Naim Sleymanolu (Weightlifting)- Pocket Hercules. 23 before Michael Jordan? From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. 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. Comment below!JOIN THE TOTALPROSPORTS TEAM and SUBSCRIBE! Twenty-three is the number . Fisk held the MLB record for games played at the catcher position (2,226) until Rodriguez broke it in 2009 with the Texas Rangers. Standing just 5'10" tall, Johnson has enough attitude packed inside his small frame for the rest of us. Robinson possessed tremendous self-control, enduring racial slurs, death threats, and hostile fans around the country. Steve Nash - Jackson is No. Hardaway was a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA first team selection and NBA All-Rookie first team selection (1994). That brings his total annual income to roughly $80 million. In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. Cosentino, Frank. Dan Marino, practically reversed the belief that 13 is an unlucky number. 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. Considered one of the best players in professional basketball history, Maravich's life ended and began when he suffered a heart attack while playing a pick-up game in Pasadena, Calif. Maravich was a devout Christian and said shortly before his death he would like to be remembered as a follower of Christ, and not a basketball player. Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.". Usain Bolt (11%) and Pel (11%) then completed the Top 5. Salley was also a co-host for "Best Damn Sports Show Period," alongside Tom Arnold and Chris Rose. Thomas was a dominant hitter and an icon during his playing days with the Chicago White Sox. Rodman embraced the nickname and fed off the hype. Whatever you want to call him, McGriff had a solid career in MLB, playing for seven teams and recording three Silver Sluggers, five All-Star appearances and a 1995 World Series Championship with the Atlanta Braves. April Holmes has one gold medal and two bronze . Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season. It's one of the more unique and popular nicknames of the modern era.". Still yet another story says he was named "Satchel" simply for the immense size of his feet, looking like two satchel bags on the end of his ankles. 6 during his days with the Boston Celtics. These two sisters dominate women's tennis, changing the sport from one of finesse and skill into one characterizing violent power. The nickname "Spider" is a reference to Salley's fear of arachnids, which, according to him, was conquered during his time on the 2009 reality television showI'm a CelebrityGet Me out of Here! While Wilt's playing career and infamous personal dealings with women are the stuff of legend, his nickname seems a little weak for his accolades. Clyde Drexler. LINK Famous athletes who wore the number 32: 1. He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". Maravich earned his nickname in high school, from his habit of shooting the ball from his hip, as if firing a revolver. 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. Virat Kohli, nicknamed Chikoo, is a famous Indian international cricketer who is the present captain of the India national team.With a top record on his plate, he is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. 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. 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.". He used the technique of crouching with his left arm out to fight opponents, and experienced many successes. The #7 has been passed down from Kevin Keegan to Kenny Daglish to Luis Suarez, and many others have held the honor of wearing the most iconic number for one of Englands most decorated football clubs. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He still embraces the persona of the Rock to this day, and the nickname is too perfect. Although Mike Bossy only played 752 games, he . After Milwaukee, Payton played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. Carry on with the slideshow, and impress your friends with your newfound street cred. Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. Dominique Wilkins. Jim Browns career in the National Football League only lasted nine seasons, but his impact on the game has lasted through history. "The Great Bambino," "The Sultan of Swat," "The Colossus of Clout," and simply "The Babe," are all references to baseball's greatest legend. His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. "Go ask Mister October", he said, giving Jackson a nickname that would stick. He holds the world record for 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 100 metres relay and is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016). Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. 99 (he originally wore the No. "When he joined the Cubs, his extravagant wind-up and release and his frequent wild pitches inspiredWrigley Fieldorganists to playThe Troggs'Wild Thingas he came out of the bullpen. Best Athletes by Number: 66-99. The injury was a blessing in disguise, actually giving him an edge on the mound. He became known as "The Ryan Express" when he came into games because of his fastball that easily topped 100 mph on a routine basis. Toggle the table of contents . As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". LISTING OF PRIMARY NUMBERS IN CAPS; Secondary Numbers in lower case. Kemp retired in 2003 and now the only thing falling from the sky in Kemp's world are illegitimate children, as he has 11 of them from nine different women last time we checked. His nickname suggests as much, as it is indicative of a man who . Named for his cool demeanor on a basketball court, Gervin played in both the ABA and the NBA, and it has been said at his ABA tryout in Virginia, he made 22-of-25 three-point attempts. It has spawned other nicknames involving athletes with the last name "Rodriguez," including the current record holder for most saves in a season, Frankie "K-Rod" Rodriguez. Return to Top; Players. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". 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. 1 1. Reeves wasnicknamed"Big Country"by his college teammateByron Houstonwhen Reeves was amazed by his first airplane flight across theUnited States. Here are the nicknames of some of the other Olympians. As of 1999 . Smith is a 15-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove Winner and a 1982 World Series Champion with the St. Louis Cardinals. Mario Lemieux is a hero to many hockey fans, but not only because of his contributions to the Pittsburgh Penguins on the ice. He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." The program will chronicle Tyson's love for pigeon racing. Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. Oh yeah, he also played basketball for five NBA teams in 15 years and won four NBA championships with three different teams. Most recently, Suarez brought the shirt some disgrace with his on-field antics, but he also helped Liverpool mount their best title challenge in over a decade. Either way, the nickname stuck, as did the movie. In true legendary boxer style, Ali gave himself the nickname "The Greatest," but also deserves it. He played his entire career from 1995-2001 with the Vancouver Grizzlies. "Three Fingers" Brown was able to throw many pitches that could not be achieved by a man with a full hand. Rick Helling (Texas Rangers) 9. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has 16,726 career yards, along with 110 TDs on the ground. The ESPN World Fame 100 is our annual attempt to create a ranking, through statistical analysis, of the 100 most famous athletes on the planet.. We started with Forbes' annual list of the highest . Pro Football Hall of Famers by Jersey Numbers Class of 2004 inductee Bob Brown wore #76 with the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders. 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. The longtime Dallas Cowboy was caught with nearly 400 pounds of marijuana combined in two separate incidents. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. 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 . 28) on his jersey, the same number that Vaughn wore in the film. Lists of nicknames - nickname list articles on Wikipedia He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has been the team's captain since 2013.His record list includes the fastest century by an Indian . After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. application of binomial distribution in civil engineering eames replica lounge chair review eames replica lounge chair review Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the best hockey player ever to play the game, in the same conversations with Gordie Howe and Brett Hull. The best of the bunch is Brown, who is a name from the past. In modern sports, athletes are valuable assets that are the centerpiece of advertising campaigns and the faces of their organizations. Gender: Male. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. Johnson once said toDave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar," and the nickname stuck. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. The sports television outlet have come up with a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and the amount of intern He began to garner the nickname "Iron" for his toughness and seemingly total resistance to go down. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. 1. Legendary NFL players with number 18 jerseys include Peyton Manning, Charlie Joiner, and Emmitt Thomas, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career . His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. What was your favorite jersey number that numerous legends wore? 6. He built a contraption out of poles that allowed him to carry more bags than his co-workers. Dykstra was a three-time All-Star, World Series champion and Silver Slugger Award winner while playing for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build.