15 Poorly Chosen Sports Nicknames

Perhaps "Juice" isn't the best nickname for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. Right? Anyone?

There are a few others athletes out there with ill-advised nicknames, some self-imposed and some given by others. These monikers are not necessarily bad, but for one reason or another, they just haven't proved to be the best choices.

For instance, it's not actually possible for UFC fighter Corey Anderson to work out 25/8, and "Kenny Trill" was eventually benched at Texas A&M. 

Note: Just because a player doesn't like his or her nickname, that doesn't make it poorly chosen. Anyone else actually really dig "Muscle Hampster?"

Here they are—15 of the most poorly chosen nicknames in sports today. But first, five dishonorable mentions are included from history because, frankly, Shaquille O'Neal cannot be left out of this. 

Dishonorable Mention: Anthony 'Booger' McFarland

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Who wants to be known as "Booger?" Anyone?

Despite his unfortunate nickname, Anthony "Booger" McFarland became an All-American defensive tackle at LSU and went on to an eight-year career in the NFL. 

Apparently, his nickname was around long before football. In 2009, McFarland told Chris Low of ESPN.com, "I've had it since I was two. My mom gave it to me. Just a bad kid, man … a bad kid."

Granted, it doesn't sound like the name was poorly chosen by his mother at the time, but its perseverance into adulthood was probably not ideal. 

Dishonorable Mention: Harold 'Baby Jordan' Miner

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Here's a good rule of thumb for athlete nicknames: Don't saddle someone with a moniker that will remind folks of someone else, especially if that someone else is the GOAT.

Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner played four seasons in the NBA, during the mid-1990s, overlapping with Michael Jordan. He earned the nickname growing up, according to Jim Weber of Yahoo Sports, but his two Slam Dunk Contest titles and "highlight-reel dunks" caused it to catch on after he turned pro. 

It's not that Miner was a bad player. It's just that anything Jordan-related is tough (read: impossible) to live up to.

Ditto for Ben Gordon, aka "Air Gordon," who spent five years with the Chicago Bulls and picked up the "Air Jordan" spun nickname during those early years of his career.

Dishonorable Mention: Shaquille O'Neal…Several

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Over the years, NBA great Shaquille O'Neal has had literally dozens of nicknames.

The good vs. bad are really in the eye of the beholder, but there are a few that seem particularly ill-advised and/or ridiculous (shoutout to ESPN Stats & Info for a comprehensive list). After all, not everything can be the sheer gem that is "Diesel." Behold: 

• The Big Leprechaun
• The Big Cactus
• The Big Shaqtus (really, anything with "The Big" in front)
• The Big Baryshnikov
• Wilt Chamberneezy

There are also rumors of an "Osama Bin Shaq" nickname, which really needs no further commentary. 

Even if some (all?) of Shaq's nicknames have been outrageous, the full list is entertaining. No arguing that.

Dishonorable Mention: David 'Golden Balls' Beckham

Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

David Beckham was a great soccer player, but he never actually won the World Cup's Golden Ball award. 

Still, Becks got the curious nickname "Golden Balls" from his wife, Victoria Beckham, in 2008. According to Emily Hewett of Metro.co.uk, Victoria famously said on the British television show Parkinson, "I call him Golden Balls now." She added, "That's one of those things I shouldn't have said."

Though it was perhaps an ill-advised slip of the tongue at the time, the couple has taken the comment in stride in the years since. Victoria tweeted this in 2014, and Yahoo News reported in October the Beckhams actually bought a home partly because it was near a pub called "The Golden Ball."

Dishonorable Mention: Lester 'The Molester' Hayes

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Lester "The Molester" Hayes played for the Oakland (and later Los Angeles) Raiders from 1977-1986. The All-Pro defensive back got his nickname for his style of play. According to Adam Rank of NFL.com, "Hayes developed a reputation as being one of the best bump-and-run cornerbacks in NFL history."

It is true one definition of "molest" is, "to bother, interfere with, or annoy," per Dictionary.com, and that certainly seems accurate given Hayes' abilities. Still, the word choice is a little unfortunate, no?

'Famous Jameis'

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Rhyming nicknames aren't always terrible (though they often are), but for some reason, "Famous Jameis" just doesn't seem like the best choice. It's too simple, corny even.

The name belongs to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quaraterback Jameis Winston, of course, and was given to him during him time at Florida State. Sure, he was famous then, and is now, but while such a bold nickname made sense for him as a Heisman Trophy winner in college, it doesn't seem to hold up for an NFL rookie.

Even so, Winston's marketing team filed to trademark the nickname in early 2015, even before he was drafted No. 1 overall.

On the topic, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd (then with ESPN) said, "Jameis Winston has no self awareness," per Trent Baker of Breitbart.

Matt Harvey, 'The Dark Knight'

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey is an undeniable talent. He pitched his way into the MLB All-Star Game in 2013 and came back from Tommy John surgery to post a 2.71 ERA in 2015. But come on. He's no Batman.

Still, Sports Illustrated put him on the cover of its magazine in 2013 with the headline "The Dark Knight of Gotham," and the moniker seems to have stuck.

It's clever and all, but likening a man to Batman puts a lot of pressure on him. (Just ask this guy). It's not unlike nicknaming someone "Air Gordan," right? 

'Johnny Hockey'

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Can the "Johnny Sports" nicknames end now? Quarterback Johnny Manziel's "Johnny Football" was enough, but then the sports world had to endure the emergence of young Calgary Flames left winger Johnny Gaudreau, aka "Johnny Hockey."

And of course, like Manziel (and others), Gaudreau's people felt a trademark was necessary. His agent, Lewis Gross, told TSN (via ESPN.com news services), "We were concerned that people were going to abuse the Johnny Hockey name, coming out with Johnny Hockey shirts and stuff, and we wanted to make sure that did not occur."

Eye roll. 

'Swaggy P'

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Not only did Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young, aka "Swaggy P," choose his own nickname, but he also claims it came to him in a dream. Maybe it did—no one is here to judge.

Still, the name is a little braggy, right? Particularly for someone who isn't exactly Kobe Bryant.  

Sure, people have settled in with it now, but let's hope this trend doesn't catch on. Soon, there will be all kinds of self-involved, random, nonsensical nicknames running rampant in sports. Oh wait. 

P.K. Subban, 'The Subbanator'

Harry How/Getty Images

According to Brian Stubits of CBSSports.com, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban gave himself the nickname "Subbanoator" in 2013. It was not exactly well-received.

Teammate Lars Eller tweeted, "We'll call him Pernell" (P.K.'s first name). Stubits pointed out the name's similarity to "Sherminator" from the American Pie franchise.

Sean McIndoe of Grantland (RIP, Grantland) wrote, "It's hard to describe the crushing disappointment of finding out that a player generally considered one of the coolest and most charismatic in the league is actually a 'tries to give himself a nickname' guy."

"Stubbanator" isn't the worst nickname in sports, but it has been made significantly worse by virtue of being self-imposed.

'Dougie McBuckets'

Rocky W. Widner/Getty Images

Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott was a standout college basketball player at Creighton and the Naismith Men's College Basketball Player of the Year in 2014.

Yet somehow, his nickname sounds like that of a children's cartoon character.

James O'Dell of ChicagoNow wrote, "As a Bluejay, Doug walked on campus making buckets, earning him the nickname 'McBuckets.' His accolades in college are as seemingly endless as his string of made baskets."

McDermott himself gave credit to Seth Davis of Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports for coining the term.

Dwyane Wade 'WOW'

Issac Baldizon/Getty Images

As evidenced by "The Subbanator," athletes who give themselves nicknames do not often find those names to be well-received (notable exception: Kobe Bryant's "Black Mamba"). Such was the case with the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and "WOW," aka "Way of Wade."

According to Erin Weaver of SI.com, "Way of Wade" originated as a slogan for the NBAer's shoe partnership with Li-Ning.

Unfortunately for Wade, "WOW" didn't exactly catch on. Even LeBron James called it "corny," per Ethan Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post (via Eric Freeman of Ball Don't Lie).

Mark 'Sanchize' Sanchez

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

"Sanchize" rhymes with "franchise." Get it?

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez was a standout at USC, and there was a time many thought he could be a franchise QB in the NFL. The New York Jets traded up to get him at No. 5 overall in the 2009 draft.

Seven seasons and two teams later, the nickname has proved to be more wishful thinking than prophetic.

Matt 'Stain Train' Stainbrook

Matt Stainbrook played basketball at Xavier University and now balls overseas in Germany.

During his time at Xavier, the big man earned the nickname "The Stain Train," which just sounds really unfortunate.

Luckily, Stainbrook always seemed like a lighthearted fellow, doing interviews in full uniform and driving for Uber as a side job.   

Kevin Durant, 'The Servant'

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant had a perfect nickname (just one opinion) thrown his way in 2014: "The Slim Reaper."

Entitled to his own opinion, Durant didn't really warm up to the name. He told Royce Young of CBS Sports, "I'm here to shine a bright light. I'm not here to be a guy of, I guess, death. We'll see what happens with that, but I just like KD better."

He later suggested "The Servant," and said, "I like to serve everybody. My teammates. Ushers at the game. The fans," per ESPN.com news services.  

It's not a bad sentiment, but the nickname didn't really catch on.

'Kenny Trill'

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

Kenny Hill took over for Johnny Manziel as the Texas A&M quarterback in 2014. After a strong start, he told reporters, per Darren Rovell of ESPN, he liked the nickname "Kenny Trill" (as opposed to "Kenny Football"), and his parents applied for a trademark.

According to Jason Kirk of SB Nation, "trill" is a slang term for "one who keeps it real."

Hill's situation highlighted the problem of latching on to a nickname too soon. His great start turned into a less great middle and even worse end. He was eventually replaced as the starter and later transferred to TCU.

Corey 'Beastin' 25/8' Anderson

John Locher/Associated Press

Corey "Beastin' 25/8" Anderson is a light heavyweight UFC fighter who most recently defeated Tom Lawlor by unanimous decision at UFC 196.

Jim Franz of Wisconsin's Beloit Daily News described the moniker like this: "His nickname reflects his work ethic. In college, he described his strenuous workouts as 'Beastin'.' So now he's 'Beastin' 25/8' because it seems as though he works out more than 24/7."

The point of the name is clear, but it's just a little cheesy (not to mention impossible because, science). Patrick Mocella of The Sportster put him on a "Worst Nicknames in MMA" list, and it's hard to disagree.

Le'Veon Bell, 'Juice'

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell released a new mixtape, The Interview, in March under the nickname "Juice." 

That's not all. Back in July, Bell revealed via Twitter Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had been involved in nicknaming him "Juice."

Unless you've been living under a rock since the 1970s, "Juice" is taken, and not by someone most folks would probably want to be associated with. It's also slang for performance enhancing drugs in sports, so, perhaps it wasn't the best choice.   

Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson not only nicknamed himself "Ochocinco" in 2006, but he actually made the moniker his legal last name for a time.

Look, it's easy to see the connection. Johnson wore No. 85 during his NFL career. "Ocho" means "eight" in Spanish, and "cinco" means "five."

Other than the extreme simplicity of the nickname, there is another problem. The real way to say "85" in Spanish is "ochenta y cinco."

Geh.

Jameer Nelson, 'Crib Midget'

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson and Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard were longtime teammates in Orlando.  

Howard once coined a nickname for the 6'0" Nelson, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: "Crib Midget." Hmm.

Shaun Powell of NBA.com wrote, "Little. Crib. Midget. That's a triple-negative, we think." Indeed. Powell added, "But at least Howard, the jovial Magic center, was being affectionate."

Sure, Howard didn't seem to mean any harm, but really, it's not a good sign any time a non-PC term is used as part of a nickname.