Athletes Nicknames: Earned or Not?

Whether you're a pro athlete or not, there's a good chance that your friends or family have some sort of nickname for you that came about because of something random.

And because sports nicknames often carry the strangest meanings, I figured I would take a look at some to see if players monikers were earned or just given.

From Magic to Tom Terrific, I evaluate which athlete nicknames are most deserving—and which ones might have been a little bit too premature.

Ted Williams

Nickname: Teddy Ballgame

In the history of baseball, there might not be a more successful hitter than Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams.

At the time he retired in 1960 after 19 seasons, Williams found himself in the top 10 of numerous offensive records, completing a career that is one of the most accomplished in MLB history—even though he missed three years due to military service.

When it came to playing the game of baseball, Williams could do it all. For that reason, it was only appropriate that he defined how the sport should be played.

Verdict: Deserved

Tyler Hansbrough

Nickname: Psycho T

Don't get me wrong, when NBA player Tyler Hansbrough played at the University of North Carolina, he was a complete menace on the floor, having little regard for his body and playing with a giant chip on his shoulder.

Hell, it was that type of play that earned the former star the nickname Psycho T, because he literally did things that few other guys would do—even if it meant causing physical harm to himself.

But after being a bit of a flop in the NBA, would someone who is truly psycho have a reaction like this following a little dust-up against Metta World Peace—one of the league's infamous bad boys?

Probably not. Sorry, Tyler, but I'm not so sure Psycho T shouldn't be retired and given to someone else now.

Verdict: Undeserved

Walter Payton

Nickname: Sweetness

Thanks to a rare combination of incredible sports talent and a caring personality, Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton was given the nickname Sweetness.

And it couldn't have described the guy any better—unless you were an opposing player.

Known for playing through pain and putting on an amazing show when on the gridiron, Payton's true struggles may not have come out until after, but, in many peoples' eyes, he will always be Sweetness.

Always seemingly smiling, Payton was about as uplifting a teammate as any player could have, and his play on the field backed up that joy.

Verdict: Deserved

Shaun White

Nickname: The Flying Tomato

Arguably the most polarizing and most successful action sports star ever, Shaun White has accomplished some of the greatest moments in both snowboarding and skateboarding.

Two Olympic gold medals and the most medals in X Games history, White earned the nickname The Flying Tomato thanks to the ridiculous amount of height he can get while on the halfpipe during a snowboard event—oh, and the fact that he has fiery, red hair.

There might not be a more appropriate nickname for the guy, so this one is well earned.

Verdict: Deserved

Reggie Jackson

Nickname: Mr. October

To be blunt—when the games mattered the most, there wasn't anyone better than Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

Known for clutch hits in postseason games of great magnitude, Jackson's legacy will forever be as Mr. October, as he won four World Series titles and belted 18 career playoff homers, good for fifth on the all-time list—though he was first when he retired.

Even with 563 career regular-season four-baggers, Jackson is best known for his October drama—and it's with good reason.

Verdict: Deserved

Kobe Bryant

Nickname: The Black Mamba

When you're known as one of the world's most venomous snakes, that usually means you're about as cold-blooded as an athlete can be.

And, in the case of L.A. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, that's the case when he's out on the basketball court.

One of the most polarizing athletes ever, Bryant truly is The Black Mamba, as he can snap on teammates, referees and, more importantly, opposing players, capable of going off for 40-plus or hitting a game-winner in the face of a defender without hesitation.

Just passing Michael Jordan for third on the league's all-time scoring list, Bryant definitely has venom in his bite that people fear.

Verdict: Deserved

Georges Vezina

Nickname: The Chicoutimi Cucumber

Hall of Fame goaltender Georges Vezina might have the coolest name I've ever seen for a hockey player.

While teams want their goalies to show insane hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes, they also have to display a certain amount of composure while between the pipes, proving that they're unfazed by any situation.

And Vezina did that beautifully.

Known as The Chicoutimi Cucumber—which pays homage to his hometown in Canada and his calmness on the ice—Vezina won two Stanley Cup titles, earning the moniker for being as cool as a cucumber no matter what the situation.

Verdict: Deserved

Editor's Note: Vezina's mention begins at one-minute mark in the video.

Mark Sanchez

Nickname: The Sanchize

California cool and early NFL success led fans to label former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez as The Sanchize.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to live up to the hip nickname after his first two years, which ended with back-to-back trips to the AFC title game and with Sanchez anointed as the next great quarterback in Jets history.

I mean, would someone with such a moniker really ever end up with something as humiliating as the butt fumble? Absolutely not.

Sorry, Mark, but let's give this one to another guy with the last name Sanchez who's great in the future.

Verdict: Undeserved

Marvin Webster

Nickname: The Human Eraser

After averaging a ridiculous eight blocks per game during his junior season in college at Morgan State, helping the Bears win the 1974 D-II NCAA title, Marvin Webster epitomized what a defensive force should look like.

Swatting shots at will, Webster was given the nickname The Human Eraser, terrifying opponents from either entering the lane for a shot or challenging him for a rebound.

It's too bad that during his pro days Webster wasn't able to have the same dominance, as he finished with just 881 career blocks in 10 years.

No disrespect, but when guys like Raef LaFrentz and Rasho Nesterovic pile up more swats in a career than you, The Human Eraser is a little less intimidating.

Verdict: Undeserved

Mike Tyson

Nickname: Iron

Starting his boxing career with 37-straight victories, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson proved that he was one lethal fighter inside the ring.

And thanks to his bizarre behavior during interviews and stoic personality wherever he was, Tyson was referred to as Iron Mike, which is just about as beautiful as it is scary.

Simplistic and no-nonsense—just like Tyson—the nickname embodied how difficult it was to beat the guy, and, even after losing and seeing his career evaporate away, the Iron Mike is still as intimidating as ever.

Verdict: Deserved

Freddie Mitchell

Nickname: Fred Ex

Thanks to the most famous catch in his NFL career—4th-and-26 in a 2004 divisional playoff game—former NFL wide receiver Freddie Mitchell self-proclaimed himself FredEx—because he always delivers.

In addition to losing points because he was the one who chose the name, Mitchell's moniker fails because he didn't do anything else of memory the rest of his career, becoming the butt of jokes for his poor outing in the Super Bowl later that postseason after running his mouth leading up to the game.

FedEx might be the choice of delivery in critical situations, but FredEx definitely proved otherwise.

Verdict: Undeserved

Red Grange

Nickname: The Galloping Ghost

One of the coolest nicknames in sports history, legendary football player Red Grange earned the moniker from sports writer Grantland Rice, who, after seeing the kid play against Michigan in 1924, wrote quite the description of Grange.

Calling Grange a Galloping Ghost because of the elusiveness he put on display while opponents struggled to tackle him, the name stuck and became famous.

Seeing how Grange ran back the opening kick 95 yards for a score and, within the next 12 minutes, added three more touchdowns, it's easy to see why Rice thought The Galloping Ghost was so appropriate.

Verdict: Deserved

Earvin Johnson

Nickname: Magic

In all honesty, I don't know a single person who even refers to five-time NBA champion Earvin Johnson as anything but Magic.

And thanks to a career that ended with him in the Hall of Fame and holding a number of NBA and L.A. Lakers records, it's fitting that's the case—because the dude was, indeed, magic with the basketball in his hands.

Built like a steamroller, Johnson had the size to play every position on the floor—which he once did—while having the elusiveness, speed, vision and agility of a pint-sized guard.

The things he did could only be described as, well, magic.

Verdict: Deserved

Reggie White

Nickname: The Minister of Defense

Standing 6'5" and weighing 300 pounds, there were few people who probably thought that Hall of Fame defensive lineman Reggie White was as soft-spoken as he really was.

In addition to his reserved demeanor in a sport that, typically, requires such, White was one of the most outspoken athletes ever about his faith, coming across more as a choirboy than a pro football player.

For that reason, he earned the nickname as The Minister of Defense, which paid homage to both his personality and dominance on the football field.

Ending with 198 career sacks and Super Bowl ring, this was one minister who loved to preach every single Sunday—and opposing offensive lineman and quarterbacks went to church because of it.

Verdict: Deserved

Harold Miner

Nickname: Baby Jordan

With all due respect to whoever labeled former NBA player Harold Miner Baby Jordan, there might not be a less deserving athlete nickname in sports history.

While Miner displayed athleticism and a similar frame as Michael Jordan, his game was, well, lacking the same descriptions.

Playing just four seasons in the league and averaging 9.0 points in those years, the only thing Miner truly shared with Jordan was a bald head.

Verdict: Undeserved

Tom Brady

Nickname: Tom Terrific

He may still be playing, but New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has proved that he might just be the greatest signal-caller in NFL history.

Sure, that's ridiculously high praise for a guy seeing how many players have actually lined up under center, but, when looking at his credentials, it's not so far-fetched.

Five Super Bowl trips—with three wins—two league MVPs and a spot in the top five on the all-time passing list, Brady truly is, well, terrific.

That's why his nickname is more than deserving, no matter if he ends up with another ring or not—though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him with another.

Verdict: Deserved

Wayne Gretzky

Nickname: The Great One

Millions of people have laced up hockey skates and tried their hand at playing the sport. But, for all intents and purposes, there was never anyone who has done it as well as Wayne Gretzky.

For that reason—and all the NHL records he holds—Gretzky earned the dopest and most appropriate nickname in sports history, being labeled as The Great One for his prowess with a stick in his hand.

Verdict: Deserved

Brian Scalabrine

Nickname: The White Mamba

As appropriate as The Black Mamba is for the aforementioned Kobe Bryant when, career backup Brian Scalabrine, was given the vanilla version of the moniker, it didn't seem as fitting.

I mean, sure, Scalabrine won an NBA title during his 11-year career and was a fan favorite, but couldn't this particular nickname be reserved for someone who was a little bit more like Bryant in both all-around game and impact?

I know it's all in good fun for Scalabrine to carry on The White Mamba, but it might have been better bestowed upon someone like, say, Dirk Nowitzki, who fits the trait.

Verdict: Undeserved

Derek Jeter

Nickname: The Captain

In my generation—which, for a time line, covers the past 30 years—there might not be a more iconic nickname than The Captain.

Given to recently retired New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter, it epitomizes everything it means to be a Yankee—class, honor, humility, prestige and, above all, a winner.

So when No. 2 was given it thanks to his five World Series rings and numerous records and clutch moments, there isn't anyone else in sports who deserved it more.

Verdict: Deserved

Michael Jordan

Nickname: Air

Is it possible that six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan actually outplayed his own nickname?

Quite possibly.

Known for playing above the rim throughout his career, Jordan was best known for posterizing opponents and making millions of kids think that they could both be and fly like Mike.

Thanks to his Air Jordan shoes, MJ lived up to the persona in every way possible.

Verdict: Deserved