Sports Nicknames: Who Wore Them Better?
There’s something special about a great nickname. When attributed appropriately, a nickname can take on a life of its own and carry a brand to previously unthinkable heights. Like a badge of honor, it can shape the lens through which we view certain athletes.
Once he took off—both literally and figuratively—Michael Jordan the man became “Air Jordan” the icon, and eventually “His Airness” the legend. Athletes like Earvin Johnson and Walter Payton occupied roster spots, while “Sweetness” and “Magic” occupied our hearts. Wayne Gretzky was a champion; “The Great One” was hockey.
Of course, not every athlete is as fortunate as those mentioned above. In fact, many are forced to share their nickname, no matter how accomplished they may be. Like a number on the back of a jersey, it takes a rare star to retire a name. So, with that said, we’ve decided to honor the less fortunate, exploring 13 prominent nicknames that have been reused and, in some cases, abused throughout the history of sports.
Pistol
1 of 13
We begin with “Pistol”, one of the better nicknames ever given. It was first—or at least most famously—given to NBA legend Pete Maravich, thanks to his “from the hip” shooting approach.
Maravich eventually passed away in 1988, which just so happens to be the exact same year tennis great Pete Sampras turned pro.
Of course, that’s not all the two had in common. Due to his “deadly” serve, the younger Pete would also become known as “Pistol”, giving new life to the long established nickname. Sampras, however, would accomplish something even Maravich couldn’t: With 14 Grand Slam titles to his name, the former brought championship pedigree to a moniker formerly defined by flair.
Winner: Sampras
A-Rod
2 of 13
We are unintentionally developing a theme here, as we move to yet another nickname borrowed by a tennis star.
Though both Alex Rodriguez and Andy Roddick can tie the origins of their nickname—“A-Rod”—to their very names themselves (it’s really just a simple abbreviation), Alex is the older and more famous athlete and, fittingly, seemed to adopt the moniker first.
Both experienced highs and lows throughout their careers, but one A-Rod—Andy—brought light to the other’s Dark Side of the Force.
Winner: Rodriguez
The Diesel
3 of 13
Shaquille O’Neal was always as prolific off the court as he was on it, sporting as many nicknames as All-Star appearances.
It turns out, however, that some were more original than others.
O’Neal was not, for example, the fist athlete referred to as “The Diesel.”
That distinction belongs to former NFL running back John Riggins, who made the nickname famous right around the time O’Neal was born (1972).
And the two athletes share more than a nickname. Riggins and O’Neal had games similarly defined by strength and power, and both flirted with the Hollywood Big Screen, too.
Winner: O'Neal
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Rocket
4 of 13
The more generic the nickname, the more likely it is to be shared, and sometimes by numerous athletes.
With regard to “Rocket”, that’s certainly the case.
Canadian hockey star Maurice Richard made the nickname famous in 1945, when teammate Ray Getliffe described Richard attacking opposing goalies like “a rocket.”
Tennis legend Rod Laver arrived on the scene roughly a decade later and, just like Richard, was given his nickname by a teammate—Harry Hopman.
The nickname would get somewhat of a break before eventually making its way to the 80s, where two elite athletes would share it under the national spotlight.
Using missile-like speed to star as both a wide receiver and kick returner during his time at Notre Dame, Raghib Ismail would become the “Rocket” of the gridiron.
And, thanks to a nearly unhittable fastball, Roger Clemens became the diamond’s one and only “Rocket.”
It’s seen multiple generations and various forms of athletes, but the nickname “Rocket” has forever been associated with athletic greatness.
Winner: Clemens
Hammer
5 of 13
Some nicknames carry obvious connotations, and an athlete better be tough with one like “Hammer.”
It was certainly true of former NFL defensive back Fred Williamson, who adopted the moniker after his coach in San Francisco asked him to quit “hammering” his players.
The same can be said of Dave "Hammer" Schultz, a former hockey player who still holds the record for most penalty minutes in a single season.
And though he brought a different kind of grit to baseball and beyond, “Hammerin’” Hank Aaron was (and still is) no doubt as tough as they come.
Winner: Aaron
Big Dog
6 of 13
The NBA is home to some of the all-time great nicknames, and “Big Dog” no doubt ranks among them.
It was first given to journeyman Antoine Carr, who reportedly went nowhere without his “Big Dog” (Carr actually owned a Rottweiler).
But, in the early 1990s—while starring at Purdue—forward Glenn Robinson brought the nickname to new heights. In reference to his hustle and ferocious brand of basketball, the eventual two-time NBA All-Star all but made "Big Dog" his very own.
Winner: Robinson
Superman
7 of 13
You wouldn’t think the least original nickname on the list would also rank as the most hotly contested. That, however, is precisely the case.
It all started in 2008, when NBA All-Star Dwight Howard won the Slam Dunk Contest wearing a superman cape and immediately adopted the nickname thereafter. Of course, the move angered Shaquille O’Neal, who had already laid claim to the term of endearment. And he made sure to voice his disapproval when the centers went head-to-head less than two years later.
As if that fight wasn’t sufficiently childish, quarterbacks Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick have done us all a favor, bringing the same juvenile bickering to the NFL.
Of course, the four can argue all they want, while the rest of us know there's really only one Superman.
Winner: No One
Big Z
8 of 13
Just like “A-Rod”, this nickname can actually belong to any athlete whose name prominently sports the letter Z.
Still, though, two athletes in particular have given true meaning to “Big Z”, and both are really big.
When you stand 7’3”, weigh 260 pounds and your first name is Zydrunas, people are likely going to call you “Big Z.” Such is the case with NBA center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
In truth, the same basic rationale can be applied in the case of pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who stands 6’4”, weighs in at 275 pounds and also responds to "Big Z."
Winner: Ilgauskas
The Freak
9 of 13
Unlike most athletes who share a nickname, Tim Lincecum and Jevon Kearse do so for completely different reasons.
Kearse, who was first nicknamed “The Freak”, earned the name while playing college football at the University of Florida, and did so thanks to 4.43 speed, an 86-inch wingspan and 38-inch vertical leap.
To put it more succinctly, his physical gifts were downright freakish.
Lincecum, on the other hand, is “The Freak” for precisely opposite reasons. At just 5’11”, 170 pounds, Lincecum’s tremendous pitching prowess is every bit as “freaky.”
Winner: Kearse
L.T.
10 of 13
Like others mentioned above, Lawrence Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson were destined to share a nickname.
Taylor—a 10-time Pro Bowler—made the alias famous as a New York Giant in the 80s, when he filled opposing quarterbacks’ hearts with fear.
In contrast, opposing defenses feared Tomlinson, who set a single-season record in 2005 with 31 touchdowns scored.
They possessed different skills with different styles, but both Taylor and Tomlinson were great enough to become known simply as “LT.”
Winner: Taylor
Goose
11 of 13
The nickname “Goose” has to be among the most popular in sports history, but a few athletes in particular brought it to true prominence.
In baseball, believe it or not, two Hall of Famers went by “Goose.” Beginning around 1921 and lasting until his death in 1971, left fielder Leon “Goose” Goslin laid claim to the name.
Around the time of Goslin’s death, a long-necked reliever burst onto the baseball scene, and it didn’t take long for Richard Gossage’s teammates to start calling him “Goose”, too.
Most recently, a 6’3”, 340-pound defensive tackle from New Jersey made a home for himself in the NFL. And, with a name like Tony Siragusa, it didn’t take long for the nickname to follow.
Winner: Gossage
Iceman
12 of 13
It’s rare for two all-time greats to share a nickname at right around the same time. But that’s precisely what happened in the case of George Gervin and Bjorn Borg.
Gervin—a nine-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion—earned the nickname based on his cool approach to the game.
Similarly, Borg—who won 11 Grand Slam singles titles—also earned the nickname for his calm and relaxed court demeanor.
Of course, despite a bit less success professionally, top golfer Retief Goosen has been equally unflappable throughout his career, and so he too has become known as the “Iceman.”
Winner: Gervin
Sugar
13 of 13
Boxing history is littered with used and abused nicknames, though none match the glory and prestige associated with “Sugar.”
It all started at a 1936 fight in New York, when a woman in the audience told Ray Robinson that he was “sweet as sugar.” It turned out, the moniker fit perfectly and would stick, to say the least.
Then, in 1972, a 16-year-old Ray Leonard arrived on the scene via the Eastern Olympic Trials. After a disputed loss against Greg Whaley, Sarge Johnson—an assistant coach for the US Olympic Boxing Team—approached Robinson’s coach and exclaimed, “That kid you got is sweet as sugar.”
Finally, when Shane Mosley arrived on the scene in the late 80s—with similar style and skill—he naturally adopted the same "sweet" nickname.
Winner: Robinson
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
