. Cream of the Crop: Ghostface Przybilla, Vanilla Gorilla, Joel Dolla-Dolla-Billa, White Kong. Names that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg, Troy Vincent, David Beckham, Bob Gainey, and Ron Lancaster. But his reasoning wasnt based on any superstition, historical events or ancient Chinese teachings it was because of his brother. During his prime, former MVP Vladimir Guerrero could hit pitches purposely tossed into opposing dugouts. In essence, his extremely competitive nature, coupled with the tendency to gamble while throwing the ball earned him this name. He did wear different numbers for the Bulls twice however, for a few games when he returned from his first retirement wearing No.45 (his baseball number and his brothers number). Navratilova published an op-ed in the U.K. Sunday Times on February 17 in which she said it was "unfair" to allow trans women . Pierce got his nickname from Shaquille O'Neal, and it is indeed a great one. Frazier possessed a crushing left hook, one of the greatest single punches in the history of the sport, and despite being undersized for the heavyweight division, he was one of boxing's toughest and most feared forces. Pel, byname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, (born October 23, 1940, Trs Coraes, Brazildied December 29, 2022, So Paolo, Brazil), Brazilian football (soccer) player, in his time probably the most famous and possibly the best-paid athlete in the world. Les joueurs passs par le PSG et le FC Nantes, NBA Top 5 Career Scorers Per Draft, '90s-'10s, Active NBA Players Who Are Hall of Fame Locks, Ring of Honor (ROH) World Champions in WWE. 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. From Ted "The Splendid Splinter" Williams to Elvis "Toast" Patterson, nicknames have always been part of sports. Fans like to make a big stink about baseball players getting $325 million over thirteen years (Giancarlo Stanton, which averages out to $25 million per year) but Floyd Mayweather has made hundreds of millions in the last couple of years. In any case, he did not like the nickname, feeling that it misrepresented him. 23: The Human Rain Delay (Mike Hargrove) Hargrove got the nickname for the many time-consuming adjustments he would make between pitches. A well-earned honor for The Big Hurt. The only thing people remember about the XFL is that Vince McMahon created it and that Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was its biggest attraction. His series of moves used to make opposing players look silly was referred to as the "Dream Shake,"not to be confused with the Harlem Shake which is the stupidest internet fad of all time. If you're going to be known for your kicking, "The Toe" is one heck of a nickname. Hearns, one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in history as well as one of its most fearsome punchers, is a natural fit for a nickname like, "The Hitman." One of the greatest fighters of all time, Duran was also one of boxing's most legendary punchers a pressure fighter who liked to brawl with opponents, mainly because he almost always came out on top. Then again, "The Greatest" transcended sports. He is widely believed to be one of the NBA's most agile big man, standing seven feet tall and around 260 lbs, but moving like a much shorter and trimmer man. New customers only. Also dubbed "Mr. Outside" and "Mr. Our love for the title "King James" is like a bear trap; only one that's been left out so long that it's rusted shut. He went on to wear it at LA Galaxy where he is credited as one of the main driving forces in the growth of MLS and football in America over the last decade. (greatest of all time), Jerry Rice remains the finest receiver ever to grace a professional football field. Report this user for behavior that violates our Community Guidelines. The next highest point per game total is Mario Lemieux, but he played almost 500 fewer games than Gretzky, thus totaling over 1000 fewer points. The second Nigerian Nightmare is Heavyweight boxer Samuel Peter. "The Sultan of Swat" (George Herman "Babe" Ruth) 3. Much like Walter Payton, White died far too soon, passing away at just age 43 from complications due to a heart condition. Let's just stick with "The Admiral.". The nickname was so widely used that the only people who didn't address him as such were public address announcers in visiting arenas, likely tired of having Johnson school the home team. Give Orange. It didn't matter what route he took; Ali was an impenetrable force in that ring. However, "The Hfck From French Lick" is much more fun, rhymes and calls to mind Bird's humble roots growing up in a small, rural town. Jon Jones has the distinction of becoming the youngest champion in UFC . B.C. Jordan's nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness" both refer not only to his play on the basketball court, but "Air Jordan" was also his shoe brand's name. But due to her southern accent, the word came out sounding like "Penny." Dawkins, whose dunks were both ferocious and humorously named, picked up the "Chocolate Thunder" nickname from an even more legendary source: music icon Stevie Wonder, who frequently attended Sixers games. sported No. In a New York Times interview over a decade ago, Esiason announced that the nickname had been created by his own mother, prior to his birth, because of how much he kicked while she was pregnant. For a breakdown of his earnings from fights, see TheRichest.com. Sometimes, the nickname makes the man. It feels safe to say that's an event that won't happen again for a long time, if ever. His nickname suggests as much, as it is indicative of a man who . Playing on the varsity basketball team, Larry Jordan wore number 45; when Michael made the team, he donned 23 because it was (roughly) half of his brother's number. But here's a few of them: "The Big Fella," "Diesel . A cutting-edge creation. Nicknames of other athletes at the Summer Olympics . He chose the slogan for his jersey based on how he felt other teams would feel getting beaten by him. End of story. Earnhardt was everything that the handle implied, and he was also one of the most popular drivers in the sport for many years. Ruth was a superb pitcher, but truly captured the public's imagination with his prodigious home run power, especially in an era where homers were relatively rare. He thrived under pressure and led some of the most historic drives the football world never imagined possible. Send a Message. This article will explore some of the funniest NBA Nicknames that were bestowed upon these legendary athletes from all different eras of NBA history. 5 Best players to wear No. The nickname is a little bit lyrical, if you will, and aptly describes a man who racked up 3,630 career hits, was head and shoulders above just about all of his peers and one of the purest hitters and best overall players the sport has ever seen. Tatum, one of the NFL's most feared and controversial hitters, was nicknamed "The Assassin" because of his violent, reckless style. Comments. Chad Eight-Five, golf clap for you, good sir, how's the CFL treating you? "Too Tall" is a pretty obvious nickname for a guy standing 6-foot-9, but that's not abnormal for basketball. In his book, Jordan wrote, When I came back, I didnt want to play in the last number that my father had seen me wear. Much like Magic Johnson, Tiger Woods' real name might as well be Tiger. 21 throughout his 19-year career a legendary . Howe's career spanned five decades, and even Gretzky himself idolized Howe. After taking the name, the man born Arnold Cream in Pennsauken, New Jersey, simply added "Jersey" to his name to distinguish himself. The move fuelled speculation that Clarke would do that same thing with his number once he retired but that never happened and now DArcy Short wears it. Most would agree that "Penny" was a much more fun nickname for a player who possessed one of the league's most unique combinations of size and skill. Maravich's nickname stemmed from the fact that he shot the ball from the side, as if he were holding a revolver. 3.3 International. ACRONYMIC TITLE FOR A LEGENDARY ATHLETE Crossword Answer. An under-reported part of the lives of many athletes is the time before they became . I could keep rambling off stats but these are some of The Great One's most impressive, and they prove that his nickname is the most iconic of the sports world, as he is, without any shadow of a doubt, the greatest who has ever lived. Draymond Green's impact and influence on the Golden State Warriors' three NBA championships between 2015 and 2018 will surely make him a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after he retires. colonel frank o'sullivan interview; beverly hills high school football Owner of a dog with a Napoleon complex, consumer of beer, cooker of chili, closet Cleveland Browns fan. Unfortunately, he has thrown the most interceptions of any NFL quarterback. Technically, this isn't even a nickname because Hagler, annoyed that announcers did not refer to him by his preferred nickname, eventually changed his real name to "Marvelous Marvin Hagler." Joe Jackson. She was a crowd favourite wherever she raced. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Joe Maddon's versatile switch-hitter also goes by the names Zo, Zobe, Ben-zee, Z-man and Zobo. Of his worst nicknames, though, we choose "The Big Aristotle.". There's Brady, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Jim Kelly, Joe Namath, Bob Griese and Aaron Rodgers, among others . His natural ability coupled with a dizzying array of moves, including his signature "Dream shake," made guarding him more like a nightmare. Cream of the Crop: Van the Man, Ruud Boy, The Flying Dutchman. Green, an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner, has been wearing the No. Let's see which 25 athletes earned the most nicknames. But Delonte West Jr. just might. When I came back, I thought 45 was perfect because I did have an association with the number. Jr. was a legendary American quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins for his entire professional career of 17 years. If your team had Robert Horry, you felt great in close games. Advertisement. Pie Traynor, listed at number seventy, was the first third baseman ever elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and he finished in the top ten for the National League Most Valuable Player Award six times. While Peyton Manning did surpass Brett Favre's all-time passing touchdown title a few weeks ago, Favre still holds a few records. Arguably the greatest showman and ball-handler in basketball history, Maravich remains the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, with 3,667 points, good for 44.2 points per game. 100 Greatest Players by SABR. Create good names for games, profiles, brands or social networks. His nicknames come from his head of hair along with his wild play on the field. But while Zorilla may be the second baseman's craftiest nickname, it's also the stinkiest. June 16, 2021 Uncategorized No comments Uncategorized No comments Now 36 years old, two of Jackson's three Bellator victories came via very convincing knockouts, showing fans and critics that he still has a few years of Rampage left. Why Are Leprechauns Associated with Saint Patricks Day? If you don't believe me, just ask Mike Tyson. Perhaps a nickname more appropriate to its era than any other on this list, but one very fitting for one of the greatest Yankees of all-time. So far, the researchers have diagnosed CTE in 110 out of the 111 former NFL players who have donated their brains, including five of the NFL's most legendary athletes. 12. Wayne Gretzky leads all NHL skaters in points by nearly 1000 points. That's right, the Philadelphia Eagles/Green Bay Packers great, Reggie White. A 14-time All-Star who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993, Jackson earned the nickname Mr. October due to his exceptional performances in the five . With a hairstyle that is slammed on the other side of the Mr. Clean spectrum, Puyol continues to roar his way toward fashion-and-athletic greatness. As a result, Chuck earned every hefty nickname one could possibly script. 51. His nickname suggests as much, as it is indicative of a man who transcended the sport. Honestly, Blake "The Griffin" Griffin would probably sum up his legend just as crisply. The UFC Hall of Famer makes this list for his nickname "The Iceman," which is a reference to his fighting style and overall demeanor. Tuesday, February 28, 2023 . "Shaq and Pretty" would have sounded strange, but "Pretty" was indeed what Hardaway's grandmother called him. I wanna be able to dunk on somebody like him. Strange. Many elements of Tatum's playing style were later outlawed by the NFL. Cream of the Crop: The Master Blaster, The God of Cricket, Bradman of Modern Era. He earned six All-Stars and five All-NBA selections, won the 1988-89 Rookie of the Year award, the All-Star MVP in 1995 and the 2002 championship with the LA Lakers. He asked my opinion and I told him I prefer the classic numbers from one to 11. His last three fights have been won via unanimous decision. 3 on his back, he wore the iconic 23 in the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans. In that context, "Super Mario" was the perfect moniker. (Greatest of All Time), but for our purposes, his nicknames referring to his jumping and dunking abilities are his best aliases. His self-assigned nickname has become a fan favorite, as Lynch is one of the most difficult NFL players to tackle and can also run faster than most of those trying to bring him down. The nickname was coined by Ken Harrelson while Thomas was a member of the Chicago White Sox early in his career. Of course not. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . Interest and investment in women's sports have been on the rise in . A three-time NBA champion, Green is also a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, and five-time All-Defensive player. 23 is Boy 2 23 is Girl . It was this steadiness that earned him his nickname. View Reports-/5-RATE QUIZ. Thomas goes about 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, and was, purely on physical stature, the most intimidating hitter of his era. Olajuwon is one of the greatest, smoothest big men ever to play basketball, and it is the latter quality that earned him his nickname. [texts-excerpt] penalty for cutting mangroves in floridaFREE EstimateFREE Estimate He could float, sting, shuffle. He was named to the All-Ohio first team and . You'd be enraged, right? No lock-in contract. Archer is a legendary athlete like Milkha Singh who succumbed to Covid-19 on June 19 numbers sprinkled! There are plenty of honorable mentions for a list like this. Michael Jordan is a six-time NBA Champion, five-time league MVP and a fourteen time All-star. I wanna be able to fly like him, James said. In a league known for flashy dunks, snappy dressing and colorful personalities, Duncan's favorite shot was the bank shot, he dressed like a teenager heading to school and was as soft-spoken as they come. It was part of me, but not in the professional basketball environment.. But it is Eldrick, and therefore Tiger is technically a nickname and one that honors one of his father, Earl's, military friends who also was called Tiger. Field goals from long distance haven't always been the norm in the NFL, but if you love a dramatic late-game kick, thank "The Toe." Bookmark Quiz Bookmark Quiz Bookmark. 2. Shaquille O'Neal - "The Big Aristotle". But it was actually one he had carried with him since high school when his coach bestowed it on him after a long, winding touchdown run. Undrafted in 2008, Green-Ellis ran for 275 yards in his rookie year with five touchdowns. Most of the time, sons of athletes don't want to stand in their fathers' shadows, but Mancini, who inherited the "Boom Boom" moniker from his father, Lenny, took it and ran with it and is much more widely associated with it. Even the crickets are applauding this selection. Follow @z_pumerantz, extramarital affair he was allegedly having with his wife's brother's wife. The solution to the Acronymic title for a legendary athlete crossword clue should be: THEGOAT (7 letters) Below, you'll find . And to those embraced individuals, bravo for the sportsmanship. Also dubbed Brickwall, The Man and Brody, record-breaking goalie Martin Brodeur has been protecting the New Jersey crease since the early '90s, along the way leading his Devils to three championships. | Cream of the Crop: Steam Engine Charlie, Black Magic, Chasemanian Devil. Please logout and login again. Alain Prost is the most famous French race car driver of all time. She also showed the class the first film . It represents change, progress, and innovation.In terms of numerology, the number 23 signifies new beginnings, revolution, and transformation.