The 10 Best Nicknames in Sports Today

Night Train Lane. Oil Can Boyd. The Galloping Ghost.

Sports nicknames aren't what they once were, as those phenomenal examples prove. That doesn't mean that there aren't some very strong nicknames in the game today.

As a man who has numerous monikers, ranging from the normal (Sheffy), to the somewhat ridiculous (ShefMoney), to the absolutely absurd (The Water Fountain Wrangler; Banana Fudge Nut), this list is in more than capable hands. Let's get started.

10. Captain America (Tom Brady)

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

ATLANTA - AUGUST 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots sits on the bench during the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on August 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Patriots beat the Falcons 28-10. (Photo b

Even though this nickname probably lost a little luster after SpyGate, it still holds up. Think about it: He's a three-time Super Bowl champion, he was at the helm of a perfect regular season, he's married to a super model, he inspired an awe inspiring homo-erotic song a few years back, and he pulled off a successful hump and dump on the ravishing Bridget Moynahan, who is now raising his son.

What's more American than that?

9. All-Day (Adrian Peterson)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball during their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

To be called "All-Day", it means you kick ass and take names all day, every day. Imagine if I tried to call myself "All-Day". For what? Because I like to drink beer all day every Saturday? Because I have some days where I literally do nothing all day? Lame.

But Peterson has clearly earned being called AD.

8. The Bulin Wall (Nikolai Khabibulin)

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Edmonton Oilers defends the net during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on November 11, 2009 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Even though he is barely relevant as a player anymore, his nickname still rocks hard. Not that they're happy memories, but it reminds us of a time when Russia was shady and powerful as opposed to shady and mostly irrelevant. Plus, it gives me an excuse to link this. (No, Khabibulin has nothing to do with that clip, but any flimsy excuse to watch the greatest moment in sports history is good enough for me)

7. The Boogeyman (Derek Boogaard)

Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images

ST. PAUL, MN - OCTOBER 4: David Koci #48 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Derek Boogaard #24 of the Minnesota Wild fight in the second period of their game October 4, 2007 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Scott A. Schneider/Getty

A terrifying man with a frightening name.

One of the newest additions to the New York Rangers, Boogaard has one of the most fitting nicknames I've ever heard of. He's a man who loves nothing more than dropping the gloves, and has carved out a nice NHL career despite having little to no discernible hockey skill. Quite the feat indeed.

Oh yeah, and he caved in Todd Fedoruk's face, an enforcer of some repute in his own right.

6. Durantula (Kevin Durant)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - JULY 24: Kevin Durant #5 of the 2010 USA Basketball Men's National Team smiles after a USA Basketball showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center July 24, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Durant is poised to become the NBAs next mega superstar. He ranks right up there with Dwight Howard and LeBron in the "Genetically Engineered Freak" contest. He is 6'-9", fast as hell, who can score anywhere on the floor. He got his moniker because of his stupid length. He would be even more well-known if he wasn't so humble. Case in point: he has decided to keep his talents in Oklahoma City for another five years.

5. The Sanchize (Mark Sanchez)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets stands on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Gett

Just a cool sounding nickname. I've been watching "Hard Knocks" and Sanchez comes off as a cool guy and a good leader. Unfortunately for Jets fans, it's possible that his nickname and personality are both better than he is as a football player. The jury is still out, of course, but he has looked several shades of awful this preseason. More than anyone else, Sanchez will affect whether or not the Jets will contend for the Super Bowl again or not.

4. Big Time Timmy Jim (Tim Lincecum)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - AUGUST 21: Starter Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Alright, so it hasn't completely caught on yet, but it was the punchline from an awesome "SportsCenter" commercial. It has also spawned a Facebook group and sweet t-shirts. C'mon, America! Even though this hasn't been his strongest season, it's time for us to unite as a nation and join the Big Time Timmy Jim revolution.

3. Black Mamba (Kobe Bryant)

Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 21: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant laughs with the championship trophy while riding in the victory parade for the the NBA basketball champion team on June 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers beat the Boston Celtic

I love "Black Mamba" because it's so unbelievably obscure. The only mamba I had ever heard of was the delicious candy, so when this nickname surfaced a few years back, it threw me for a loop. As it turns out, the black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa. Chew on that for a bit (get it!). Considering the fact that I am abjectly terrified of snakes, I hope Kobe is the only mamba I ever see in my time on Earth.

2. A-Roid, A-Fraud (tie) (Alex Rodriguez)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 13: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees looks on as it begins to rain during the game against the Kansas City Royals on August 13, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

They aren't original or all that funny. So why #2?

I hate A-Rod, so anything that besmirches the name of that cheating creep is A-OK in my book.

I realize he has amazing numbers and now has a ring, but he's my least favorite player on my least favorite team in baseball. Good enough for me.

1. The King (LeBron James)

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - JULY 09: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat is introduced during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Just kidding, he's an ass.

My real favorite nickname in sports today is...

1. The Silver Fox (Brett Favre)

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 28: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings gives instructions against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason NFL game at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on August 28, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Pho

He's is cagey, crafty, cunning, obviously gets what he wants, and is old as hell. The Silver Fox is a fitting moniker indeed.

The hilarious Jared Allen gave the ol' gunslinger his new nickname last year, and it stuck. He's now back for one more rodeo, kicking things off Thursday down in the Big Easy.

A quick aside: If you would have told me five years ago I would be rooting for both Favre and Jim Thome, I would have punched you in the face and been 100% justified in doing so. Now? I couldn't be happier about it.

So, sadly, that brings us to the end of our list. Agree? Did I miss a couple obvious ones? Think I'm a complete idiot? Feel free to let me know.

Tom Shefchik is a (fairly) frequent Bleacher Report contributor. He also writes a blog here and can be followed on Twitter here.