The Galloping Ghost was also a film star, appearing in two silent films in the mid-'20s. His lawyer should have been named "The electric no possibility of victory but still attempting attorney.". A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. and the name stuck. Hernndez is also known for the enormous leg kick featured in his delivery. Birth date: September 12, 1913. Eighty-eight years ago this week, the New York Yankees became the first professional sports team to permanently wear numbers on their uniforms. Each sprin He overcame an HIV diagnosis and has continued his success off the court in the business world. 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. 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. Although Williams' long mullet locks are long gone, the moniker follows him wherever he goes. From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. 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 Beginning in March, Tyson will be featured in a six-part series on Animal Planet entitled, "Taking on Tyson." Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. The legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder had many nicknames, such as:"The Kid","Teddy Ballgame," and"The Thumper.". Iconic NBA players with number 23 jerseys include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in basketball history. The ESPN World Fame 100 is our annual attempt to create a ranking, through statistical analysis, of the 100 most famous athletes on the planet.. We started with Forbes' annual list of the highest . Carlton Fisk earned his nickname with the Boston Red Sox for his physical stature, standing 6'2" tall and weighing 220 pounds. 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. The school's mascot is the Owl and the obvious lack of a vowel letter in his last name was the second half of a legendary nickname. He won both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the 2012 London Olympics. Brown is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, thanks to his brutal yet elegant rushing style. application of binomial distribution in civil engineering eames replica lounge chair review eames replica lounge chair review His nickname suggests as much, as it is indicative of a man who . The nickname "Spider" is a reference to Salley's fear of arachnids, which, according to him, was conquered during his time on the 2009 reality television showI'm a CelebrityGet Me out of Here! 3 He was known as the 'Splendid Splinter' and is considered one of baseball's greatest hitters. His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. Williams is perhaps best known for giving up the game-and-World Series-winning home run to Joe Carter and the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. Rices legendary hands were developed throughout his childhood, when he worked as a brick mason. During his time with the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls and led the league in receiving yardage six times. Playing for the University ofColoradoBuffaloes in 1994, Kordell Stewart completed a Hail Mary passto beat theUniversity of Michigan27-26, a play known as "The Miracle at Michigan.". Rickey Henderson. No. The Canadian ice hockey legend got his moniker from his thundering slap shot, which was said to echo through stands and arenas like a sonic boom. Clayton Kershaw. In any event, Mays is one of the best players to grace a Major League field and will forever be known as, "The Say Hay Kid.". When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. Marino is one of the most prolific passers in the history of the NFL, amassing 61,361 yards during his seventeen seasons in the league. The ever-flamboyant star has also had his run-ins with the law but will go down as a tremendous athlete with a killer nickname. He is a nine-time NBA All-Star, was the NBA scoring champion in 1986 and won two dunk contests (1985, 1990). William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. . . Which got us thinking about the greatest athletes . George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. 33 his college number in his lone year alongside . He did however appear in summerstock productions ofDamn YankeesandFiddler on the Roof.". 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). 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. At every turn, Ronaldo has succeeded and proved to be the best. However, Newton underwent verticalgastrectomy,in February 2010,a surgical operation that removes up to 75 percent of a patient's stomach and staples the remainder. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. The nickname literally translated means "The Duke," but his moniker is in reference to a tropical hurricane, which he is said to have brought on his opponents while pitching on the mound. When he was not allowed to play with his friends on the peewee team due to his size, he was told he must play with older kids. 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.". Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.". "The Great One" is the simplest way to describe his talents, although a more creative moniker would gain more points. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. While most think the successful Alabama Crimson Tide coach was named "Bear" for his personality, it was actually given to him as a child. George Herman Ruth, better known as The Babe, the Sultan of Swat, or the Great Bambino was the greatest hitter during one the greatest eras in the history of baseball. For certain teams, some numbers hold a special place in club lore and the hearts of the fans. Over the course of his entire sixteen season NFL career, John Elway became regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in history. The 6'9", 271lb lineman recorded 57 sacks in his career but played before the sack became an official stat in 1982. The lefty was also a six-time Stanley Cup Champion and winner of multiple awards. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. Toggle the table of contents . When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. Deion Sanders dazzled the nation as he high stepped into the end zone after interceptions and punt returns, frustrating football purists and giving birth to the moniker Prime Time. . Penny has attributed his successes in life to his grandma, who raised him up as a child while his mother was away working. (Featuring @ann76 as Author)", "Wereldtitel Van Dijk met Specialized-Lululemon", "March 31, 2007 Sarasota Herald Tribune article", United States Olympic Committee document confirming Harris's first name (page.44 *.pdf file. 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. Whatever the case may be, the five-time Negro League All-Star, World Series Champion and Hall of Famer was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, and he wore his moniker with honor. Bill Russell, another legend of the sport, also wore No. 3 - Babe Ruth. The sports television outlet have come up with a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and the amount of intern However, his nickname doesn't rank very highly on a list of originality and creativity. the sword to D'Artagnan . There's something about being a football player while making a living in Chicago that attracts nicknames like a moth to a flame. Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. In this sport, Lee Chong Wei sits on the throne. Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. 25 References. Lee Chong Wei. Rumor has it, the pitcher wanted to return to the majors in 2008 at the tender age of 49, reports the Boston Globe. Birth City: Oakville. Perkins played the game with pride and a seemingly calm demeanor that earned him the nickname "Big Smooth.". He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. Follow your favourite Olympic heroes on their journey to the games. Often considered the greatest boxer, Ali made a name for himself with his quick footwork, skills, and trash-talking persona. Aaron's nickname epitomizes his performance at the plate. The best of the bunch is Brown, who is a name from the past. Gabby Douglas (Gymnastics)- Flying Squirrel. Triskaidekaphobic football fans dreaded the Sundays when Marino and the Miami Dolphins rolled into town, because it usually meant their defense was in for a long day. Montana became a football great with the San Francisco 49ers, finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs and compiled a career rap sheet that looks like this: The Hall of Famer lost his index finger in a gruesome farming accident, in which he was putting material into a feed chopper, slipped and got his hand mangled. . Here's a look at 19 of the most famous athletes in the world. Barkley had a stellar professional basketball career and continues to be a force on the celebrity sports scene. "Go ask Mister October", he said, giving Jackson a nickname that would stick. Every year, LeBron James earns around $25 million in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers and roughly $55 million from endorsements. Carry on with the slideshow, and impress your friends with your newfound street cred. Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.". Floyd's nickname is used to describe the consistent look on his face, and how his complexion reminds on-lookers of someone who looks tired or "sleepy.". The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Brazilian Portuguese: [ds(w) atiz du nasimtu]; 23 October 1940 - 29 December 2022), better known by his nickname Pel (Portuguese pronunciation: ), was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th . "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. Rose took the nickname seriously and spent his career as a hard-nosed ball player, known for legging out extra-base hits and splendid play in the field. John G. Zimmerman/SI. The multi-sport star was perhaps one of the biggest self-promoters the sports world has ever seen but also a very talented individual. Gabby Douglas, is an American gymnast who became the first African American in Olympic history to win the individual all-around event at the 2012 Summer Games. This list rewards creativity, and while Ali is the greatest boxer ever, his nickname isn't the most creative moniker in sports. 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). The nickname stuck throughout his career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd. Coincidentally, Roberts adapted his nickname from former Oakland Raiders QB Ken Stabler, who was nicknamed "The Snake" for his ability to slither through opponents when scrambling. Grange was drafted by, and finished his career with, the Chicago Bears. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. Load," and "Round Mound of Touchdown," in reference to one of Charles Barkley's many monikers. That brings his total annual income to roughly $80 million. The number is currently vacant at the club, just waiting for the next legend to don the famous #7. New York Mets fans began referring to Dykstra for his "tough-as-nails" approach to the game, and it was later shortened to just "Nails.". The nickname "Charlie Hustle" was given to Rose by Whitey Ford in 1963, who was watching the then-rookie Rose sprint to first base on a walk. However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. Davis would often cry to his coach, begging the man to let him play with his friends and the coach would say, "stop crying, you big baby!" Bryant would grow up to be one of the most prominent figures in college sports and one of the most successful coaches in college football history, winning six national titles. Athletes have been blessed with some inventive and fun nicknames. 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. Robinson possessed tremendous self-control, enduring racial slurs, death threats, and hostile fans around the country. However, he only made one broadway appearance, covered here by Wikipedia: "he made his only appearance on Broadway as a cast replacement in a revival ofThe Caine Mutiny Court Martial. Gender: Male. If the Cuban pitcher ever wanted to sue the founder of Pilates, he may have a solid case. After playing for a minor . Sandy Koufax (Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers) 2. Return to Top; Players. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recognized these qualities and made Johnson head coach of the team in 2004, before Avery moved on to the New Jersey Nets in 2010. He is the only player in the history of the league to receive this honor. Johnson once said toDave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar," and the nickname stuck. The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that cocaine was used by 3.8 million Americans. His accomplishments on the baseball diamond are virtually unparalleled over the course of a century of baseball history. In true legendary boxer style, Ali gave himself the nickname "The Greatest," but also deserves it. Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. 2 2. 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. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. 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. > All Players To Wear Number 23. Leonard Buck (Baseball) 5. Standing just 5'10" tall, Johnson has enough attitude packed inside his small frame for the rest of us. A lot of these athletes have worn other numbers as well. He is alsoknown for his 10-year reign asmiddleweightworld champion and setting a record for defending it 20 consecutive times. Before these famous images went viral, Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's "Golden Boy," a heavy-hitter with a squeaky-clean image. Like English . In related news, the US Congress prosecuted a rocket for perjury for the first time in history. While his nickname is creative, it is also a prime example of racial prejudice and bigotry. Mo Farah. Wooden disapproved so mightily of individual achievement, he wouldn't even allow his players to dunk the ball. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. Reese was a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. The left-handed hitting slugger is the current face of the Boston Red Sox franchise and spent many years in a potent lineup with Manny Ramirez. Also nicknamed "The Silver Fox"and just known by the shorter "Duke" Snider, the former Brooklyn Dodgers slugger was often compared to other New York outfielders such as Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle and earned the nickname "The Duke of Flatbush" after an area in New York City called "Flatbush" and his accolades as a hitter. Salley was also a co-host for "Best Damn Sports Show Period," alongside Tom Arnold and Chris Rose. 1 1. All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. The Hall of Famer battled through segregation to become one of the greatest left-handed hitters in Major League Baseball history. "The Human Highlight Film" has got to be one of the coolest nicknames in sport and it was perfect for Dominique Wilkins. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. By the 1930s numbers on uniforms were standard practice for Major League Baseball teams and were common in other sports like football and hockey. He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". He hit 40 or more home runs in five consecutive seasons (195357) and averaged 42 home runs, 124RBI, 123 runs and a .320 batting average between 1953-1956. Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. 24 See also. One of the greatest athletes ever, Usain Bolt is popular by the nickname 'Lightning Bolt'. It's actually a powerful testament to Jordan's greatness that simply shortening his first name . These two sisters dominate women's tennis, changing the sport from one of finesse and skill into one characterizing violent power. Although Mike Bossy only played 752 games, he . The thumb is not called a "finger," and therefore doesn't count. He appeared in six postseasons with the Dodgers (1949, 195253, 195556, 1959), facing theNew York Yankeesin the first five and theChicago White Soxin the final. Allyson Felix, Track and Field: 9 medals (6 G, 3 S) Felix is the only female track and field athlete to ever win six Olympic gold medals and her nine medals are tied for the most ever won by a . This nickname isn't creative at all, but is so synonymous with the Yankees third baseman it deserves a mention on the countdown. Fred Stabley Jr. of theLansing State Journal, gave him themoniker, despite protest from Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, who claimed it was sacrilegious. His moniker was given to him by teammates for his dribbling skills and ability to go "coast-to-coast," covering the entire floor from a rebound on defense to a layup on the other end.