But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. It has been said that he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds and high jump over six feet. Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. The #7 shirt at Liverpool has a long and storied history that has seen some of the clubs best players wear the number. Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. Grange was drafted by, and finished his career with, the Chicago Bears. Tiger Woods is a professional golfer and tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds multiple golf records. Another aspect of the game that set it apart from traditional American football were the names on the back of the jerseys. This list rewards creativity, and while Ali is the greatest boxer ever, his nickname isn't the most creative moniker in sports. Penny has attributed his successes in life to his grandma, who raised him up as a child while his mother was away working. Over the course of his entire sixteen season NFL career, John Elway became regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in history. The tall glass of water is a solid shooter, and therefore, the gun jokes just flow. The two sport star wore #21 on both the football field and baseball diamond, and holds the honor of being the only athlete to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. . Nash led the league in assists five times. . A six-time NBA All-Star broke into the league in 1989 with the Seattle SuperSonics and got his nickname, according to Wikipedia.org: "after Sonics announcerKevin Calabrosaw a poster with the name and found it fitting to add to his radio broadcasts.". Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. 32 and 34 for the first 17 of his 19 NBA seasons, before adopting No. The iconic hitter earned the nickname "The Flying Dutchman" in his playing days for his speed and nationality. In his era, people of this stature were commonly called "stretch," for the way they appeared lengthened out as if someone had grabbed their toes while someone else held them by the head and pulled in the opposite direction. The wily pitcher was a fan favorite despite his volatile personality, and his moniker is indicative of his aggressive pitching style. 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. Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) 3. Olajuwon's first name was spelled "Akeem" in his college days at the University of Houston and early into his NBA career. Drexler has had his nickname since his days at the University of Houston, named for his speed and athleticism on the court and his pleasant and easygoing nature in his private life. "Mr. Hockey" is used to sum up his life, and it is very fitting. 3 Kids seem to believe that stardom carries with it certain "perks," such as that famous athletes get special treatment if they break the law (34%; 39% of teens and 25% of 10-12 year olds) and are 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. 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. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. Other nicknames, aliases, and monikers include: "Shaq," "Shaq Fu," "The BigAristotle," "The Big Daddy," "Superman," "The BigAgave," "The Big Cactus," "The Big Shaqtus," "The BigGalactus," "Wilt Chamberneezy," "The BigBaryshnikov," "The Real Deal," "Dr. Shaq,""The BigShamrock," "The BigLeprechaun," "Shaqovic,"and the most recent, "The Big Conductor.". 15: Carlos Beltran. Along with Aaron's power, his longevity also is worth noting. 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. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, with 76.27 percent of the vote, just over the necessary 75 percent to qualify. 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. "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. Not every player to wear the #7 has found success with the club, but it has been donned by icons that have had a lasting impact on the beautiful game. The best of the bunch is Brown, who is a name from the past. He amazed hockey fans from the moment he stepped onto the ice with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978. . Hall of Famers by Jersey Number - Pro Football Hall of Fame Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. After becoming a standout at Arizona State University, Jake Plummer was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and would go on to play for the Denver Broncos. The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that cocaine was used by 3.8 million Americans. After playing for a minor . "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. The eccentric cross-dresser earned his play in NBA history as a Champion with the Chicago Bulls, and as a psycho, after kicking a camera man in the jewels, drawing a record number of technical fouls, tearing his jersey off before leaving the court when ejected, wearing a dress for a promotion on multiple occasions, piercing every area of his body and dating Carmen Electra. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. His moniker was also his calling card, but these days, it's just his his curse. Greatest College Football Players by Jersey Number Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 23 - sportsnet.ca Each sprin He still embraces the persona of the Rock to this day, and the nickname is too perfect. Elway played all sixteen seasons with the Denver Broncos wearing the #7. #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. famous athletes number 23 nicknamemeat carving knife blank. 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. James has worn different numbers throughout his career but is probably tied together most with the number 23. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la Seriously? Twenty-three is the number . Douglas, standing at 5' 2", also won . 2 2. The Top 10 Athlete Nicknames - Sports Networker 5 - Joe DiMaggio. 3 spot with 10,335. WIZARDS OF CRICKET. "Pee wee" was a term used to describe a small marble in Reese's childhood, and it would become his nickname for the remainder of his life. Over 75 years after Ruth's professional baseball career ended, he is still regarded as the best baseball player to ever live. Truly the champion of the nickname, Ruth is also the symbol of achievement in our nation's greatest past-time. 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. Wagner was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1936, gaining 95.13 percent of the vote. Di Maria will be the next to carry on the tradition associated with the #7 at Man U. Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, can easily be identified by his #99. ESPN announce top 20 most famous male athletes of 2019 Mo Farah. 10 Tiger Woods Image Credit- PGA Tour. 2. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. Hopkins is known for 51 wins in 59 fights, which include 32 knockouts and one no contest. These two sisters dominate women's tennis, changing the sport from one of finesse and skill into one characterizing violent power. 5. He is alsoknown for his 10-year reign asmiddleweightworld champion and setting a record for defending it 20 consecutive times. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . According to Parish, former Celtics forwardCedric Maxwellgave Parish this nickname because of hisstoicnature. The program will chronicle Tyson's love for pigeon racing. The Rock is just too famous of a nickname to not put on this list. However, he is also known as "Wild Thing" for his unusual delivery to the plate. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. He was a two-time NBA Champion(1994,1995) and member of the1988NBA All-Rookie Team. List of sportspeople with nicknames - Wikipedia 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. Rickey Henderson. Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. PDF Do As I Say, Not as I Do? - KFF He is famous for his blocked shots and on-the-court bouts with Shaquille O'Neal while O'Neal was a member for the Orlando Magic. Famous Athletes - List & Biographies of World Famous Athletes His accomplishments on the baseball diamond are virtually unparalleled over the course of a century of baseball history. Emmitt Smith. Elway possessed an uncanny ability to lead his teams to victory when they trailed late in games. and the name stuck. "The Glide" is a member of the Hall of Fame and captured the 1995 NBA championship with the Houston Rockets. 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. Names that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg, Troy Vincent, David Beckham, Bob Gainey, and Ron Lancaster. 6. Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 22 - Sportsnet.ca legendary athlete number 23 nickname - ilbbs.com All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. 26 Further reading. The Nigerian giant stood 7-feet tall and weighed 255 pounds in his playing days. Fisk held the MLB record for games played at the catcher position (2,226) until Rodriguez broke it in 2009 with the Texas Rangers. "The Snake" was a nickname given to him after the likeness of professional wrestler, Jake "The Snake" Roberts. It was Mike Bratz, a point guard who played 15 games in the 1982-83 season). Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. Jerry Rice is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. Best player to wear each jersey number in NFL history: Tom Brady leads NBA Countdown: Who wore No. 33 best? - Yahoo! 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. The Galloping Ghost was also a film star, appearing in two silent films in the mid-'20s. Return to Top; Players. He is considered the . The 75 best sports nicknames of all time | Yardbarker Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. But who makes it into Australia-only top 10? Moses Malone . Quite possibly the athlete with the most nicknames in sports history, Shaquille O'Neal seems to be a fan favorite wherever he goes, and his outgoing personality has earned him numerous sponsorships and TV/Film appearances. All Players To Wear Number 23 | Pro-Football-Reference.com In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. A 7'1" tree with more nicknames than points per game (4.0 career average), Joel Przybilla is a force to be reckoned with; if mostly in the Name Hall of Fame. "The Great One" is the simplest way to describe his talents, although a more creative moniker would gain more points. 24 See also. Smith spent 11 years in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings (19871990),Atlanta Hawks(1990),Houston Rockets(19901996),Detroit Pistons(1996),Orlando Magic(19961997) andDenver Nuggets(1997). He is also one of the most dominant. Robinson possessed tremendous self-control, enduring racial slurs, death threats, and hostile fans around the country. Fracisco Cordova (Pittsburg Pirates) 8. He scores goals at an unbelievable pace and in a variety of ways, which makes him an absolute nightmare for opposing defenders. Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. Geoffrion was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1972, following a stellar career as a right winger with the Montreal Canadians and New York Rangers. 23: The Human Rain Delay (Mike Hargrove) Hargrove got the nickname for the many time-consuming adjustments he would make between pitches. When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. Plummer is currently a racquetball champion in his native Idaho and was recently interviewed and quoted as saying he loves his life in his small town. Rodman embraced the nickname and fed off the hype. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. The big man spent his best NBA days with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle SuperSonics, but he was also on the 1985 NBA All-Rookie First Team roster with the Dallas Mavericks. Robinson broke Major Leagues Baseball color barrier, becoming the first black man to play in the league since the 1880s. Wooden disapproved so mightily of individual achievement, he wouldn't even allow his players to dunk the ball. August 10, 2021 9:00 am. He is a two-time NBA MVP and 13-time NBA All-Star selection and is currently ranked second all-time in NBA scoring. 19 Most Famous Athletes in the World - Next Luxury 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. During theWorld Seriesagainst theDodgers, Munson was interviewed and suggested that Jackson, because of his past postseason performances, might be the better interview subject. Following legal troubles, Camacho retired from professional boxing and has since proclaimed himself to be a "born again Christian.". 1. Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.". Hayes earned many nicknames during his playing days, such as "The Judge" and his self-proclaimed "Jedi" alias for his pre-Super Bowl XVIII quotes stating he was "The only true Jedi in the NFL" (Star Wars was immensely popular in the late '70s and early '80s). However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. "AK-47" is simply Kirilenko's initials plus the number on his Utah Jazz jersey. Boyd played parts of nine seasons in the majors, and compiled a career 78-77 record, with 799 strikeouts. 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. Nothing more creative for a boxer than "Hitman?" With a common name like Ed Jones, inserting "Too Tall" seemed like an easy way to separate the man and make him an individual. There are those names that just seemsoright. Brown is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, thanks to his brutal yet elegant rushing style. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. He has been inducted into the Pro and College Football Hall of Fames as well as the Atlanta Falcons ring of honor. 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. Likewise, his relationship with his father remains strong; therefore when Chipper was progressing through the ranks of baseball, he decided to keep the name. number eight "Pocket Rocket" = Brent Russell, Utility players "Pocket Dynamo" = Gio Aplon, Fullback / Wing " Slaptjips" (Afrikaans for potato chips or french fries) = Pieter Rossouw, Wing "The . Full Site Menu. Bill Russell, another legend of the sport, also wore No. 23 Other. 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. List of Top 100 Athletes in the World and their Net worth (2023) Johnston was also the first fullback ever elected to the Pro Bowl, a position officially recognized by the NFL because of Johnston's efforts as a blocker and occasional runner. Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.". Unless he attempts a return to baseball, which isn't likely, he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame following the 2012 season and could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and definitely deserves to be elected. Named for his aggressive and controversial driving style, "The Intimidator" is the biggest name in the history of NASCAR and the father of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. His No. He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". 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). Hall of Famers by Jersey Number. 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. 28) on his jersey, the same number that Vaughn wore in the film. Athletes have been blessed with some inventive and fun nicknames. Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. At nine years old, Davis was already 5'6" tall and weighed 160 lbs. 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. It has been said that Floyd actually fell asleep several times during games in his career, and his hooded eyelids certainly didn't help refute the claims. Folklore legend has it Hardaway's nickname came as a result of his grandmother's southern accent when calling him "Pretty," thus coming out as "Penny.". > All Players To Wear Number 23. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. Source: Getty Images Was the famous number 23 of the Chicago Bulls? No list of the best athletes is complete without "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali. His lawyer should have been named "The electric no possibility of victory but still attempting attorney.". Top 20 Most Incredible Athlete Nicknames - TheSportster Johnson played for the Charlotte Hornets at the height of their popularity in the mid-'90s, and earned the nickname "Grandmama" after shooting a commercial for Converse. 99 (he originally wore the No. The 10 Most Famous Malaysian Athletes - Culture Trip But we know him best for the TV personality aspect. Also known as simply "A.I.," Iverson became known as "The Answer" in his first tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers. 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Clyde Drexler. He was a two-time MVP, an . The obvious nickname is the third generation of his birth name. His tall and skinny build makes him look like a satchel tree. One theory says he received the nickname while participating in batting practice as a rookie with the Montreal Expos. 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. Bettis is certainly a large man, weighing 252lbs while standing only 5'11" tall. When Stewart entered the NFL, he was moved from quarterback to receiver, but was often placed under center for certain plays by head coach Bill Cowher. 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.