Shaquille O'Neal, a Hall of Famer and all-time great, wore Nos. Olympic Athletes - Biographies, Medals & More 13 Most Popular Number In Sports [2023 Update] - Players Bio These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. Payton is no exception and quickly garnered the nickname "Sweetness" for his ability to make plays, and slide through the defense with ease. Top 25 Famous Athletes of India who Transformed Indian Sports He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has been the team's captain since 2013.His record list includes the fastest century by an Indian . When Magic Johnson was drafted with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, he had to change his #33 from Michigan State, which belonged to the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was often compared to film character Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (played byCharlie Sheen) in the1989David S. Wardfilm Major League. 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. Although he personally disliked the nickname, Wooden became known as the "Wizard of Westwood" during his days as UCLA basketball head coach, where he was noted for turning troubled athletes into upstanding stars. Birth Year: 1913. He is a two-time NBA MVP and 13-time NBA All-Star selection and is currently ranked second all-time in NBA scoring. 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. Return to Top; Players. "Mr. Hockey" is used to sum up his life, and it is very fitting. He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". It's one of the more unique and popular nicknames of the modern era.". Players carefully cultivate their public images in order to maximize their value on and off the field of play. Die-hard Seattle Mariners fans remember the smooth delivery and fantastic catch phrases of broadcaster Dave Niehaus and the way he would refer to Johnson as "The Big Unit" instead of his actual name for the entire duration of the tall lefty's playing days in Seattle. "The Great One" is the simplest way to describe his talents, although a more creative moniker would gain more points. His stellar play as a defensive lineman, along with his faith, helped him earn his nickname as "The Minister of Defense.". During his time with the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls and led the league in receiving yardage six times. Another aspect of the game that set it apart from traditional American football were the names on the back of the jerseys. 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. Load," and "Round Mound of Touchdown," in reference to one of Charles Barkley's many monikers. Rickey Henderson. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. Elway played all sixteen seasons with the Denver Broncos wearing the #7. His nickname prompted fraternity members to rename the commonly-practiced act, involving a passed-out friend and a head shaver. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? Quite possibly the athlete with the most nicknames in sports history, Shaquille O'Neal seems to be a fan favorite wherever he goes, and his outgoing personality has earned him numerous sponsorships and TV/Film appearances. The nickname is cool because it's edgy and impressive, but then when you find out he's a boxer, it just seems kind of lame. Baseball stars have had success with the number as well with Don Mattingly, Ryne Sandberg, and Zach Greinke thriving with the number 23 in . Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. While Wilt's playing career and infamous personal dealings with women are the stuff of legend, his nickname seems a little weak for his accolades. Follow your favourite Olympic heroes on their journey to the games. Hall of Fame player Alex English deserves some recognition for wearing No. Joe was never a stranger to the media, providing plenty of quotes and controversy in his days, and "Broadway Joe" seems fitting despite the limited experience in actual theatre. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. 1 - Oscar Robertson. The #7 shirt at Liverpool has a long and storied history that has seen some of the clubs best players wear the number. Can you imagine trying to pass through airport security with his full name on a passport? But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. The obvious alliteration is a testament to his power-hitting prowess and home run tally as a player. This nickname was bound to happen, seeing as how his last name is so closely spelled to "goose," and there were no other candidates that could top it. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. The name stuck throughout Rich Gossage's playing days, and he is affectionately known by the moniker to this day. However, many athletes remain inseparable from their on-field persona and the uniform that they wear. the sword to D'Artagnan . Along with Aaron's power, his longevity also is worth noting. While his nickname is creative, it is also a prime example of racial prejudice and bigotry. Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season. 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. 25 References. 6 also crosses over to baseball. DiMaggio was bound to earn a few nicknames in his playing days, and "Joltin' Joe" was just the beginning. Penny has attributed his successes in life to his grandma, who raised him up as a child while his mother was away working. But when the band was told they couldn't use his name as their band moniker, they adopted his other nickname and became known as "Pearl Jam," a name that also has rumors to its origins. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. William Perry was a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears from 1985-93, and the team used him on both sides of the ball. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." As if the Venezuelan pitcher needs any more names,Garcs' tongue-in-cheek nickname is a poke at his stature, and friends and teammates commonly refer to him by his moniker. 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. Following legal troubles, Camacho retired from professional boxing and has since proclaimed himself to be a "born again Christian.". Cristiano Ronaldos image is inseparable from his favored #7. August 10, 2021 9:00 am. Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses. Our most famous number in sports is the former NBA player Michael Jordan's number 23. "Apparently, White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson tagged Thomas with the nickname "Big Hurt" because that's exactly what he does to opposing pitchers. Comment below!JOIN THE TOTALPROSPORTS TEAM and SUBSCRIBE! Perkins played the game with pride and a seemingly calm demeanor that earned him the nickname "Big Smooth.". A lot of these athletes have worn other numbers as well. In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. 5 Best players to wear No. He built a contraption out of poles that allowed him to carry more bags than his co-workers. There are a couple of stories regarding the origin of Randy Johnson's nickname. After Milwaukee, Payton played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. This is a list of sportspeople with nicknames. The 100 Best Nicknames in Sports History - Bleacher Report Jim Browns career in the National Football League only lasted nine seasons, but his impact on the game has lasted through history. Folklore legend has it Hardaway's nickname came as a result of his grandmother's southern accent when calling him "Pretty," thus coming out as "Penny.". Rodman was a king on the court when it came down to getting into his opponent's physche. Surprisingly, no one calls him "Kazaam," but that could be because they are afraid of being sit on by a 7'1", 325 lb man. However, he is also known as "Wild Thing" for his unusual delivery to the plate. "The Snake" was a nickname given to him after the likeness of professional wrestler, Jake "The Snake" Roberts. He added an "H" to his name later in his career in homage to his Muslim faith. 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. The 6'9", 271lb lineman recorded 57 sacks in his career but played before the sack became an official stat in 1982. He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. . 13, is right above him at the No. Jeffries boxed in a time where blacks were heavily persecuted, and "The Great White Hope" was a moniker for his desire to destroy all blacks with his boxing abilities. Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. His nickname is more a basic description of the entity he embodies than a catchy alter-ego. He overcame an HIV diagnosis and has continued his success off the court in the business world. Lee Chong Wei. Mookie Blaylock could have been the name of a famous band. White was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. The Wu-Tang Clan references are as . Fans of this era only know his name as the legend, but quotes from players of his day tell the story of Wagner as a dirty player, often clueing infielders and holding baserunners by the jersey as they attempted to round a base. (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. "Real Deal Holyfield" followed Evander throughout his boxing career, as he captured cruiserweight and heavyweight division championships and defeated Mike Tyson twice, losing chunks of both ears the second time around in the famous 1997 bout. Hopkins is known for 51 wins in 59 fights, which include 32 knockouts and one no contest. BATS THAT THEY HAVE WIELDED E. MAYNE'S PRICELESS COLLECTION The Stradivarius to Kreisler . 5 Greatest NBA players to wear No. 23 in league history - Sportskeeda Wilkins played 11 seasons of NBA basketball with the Atlanta Hawks and was a nine-time NBA All-Star. Johnson can now be considered one of the most successful athletes of all time. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. The Rams and Jets QB also did several endorsement commercials during his playing days, including this one for pantyhose, no joke. He played in the NFL as well as the NBL . Nothing more creative for a boxer than "Hitman?" The defensive back has become known for two things: His "bump-and-run" coverage on receivers that earned him the nickname "Molester" for the brutal way he treated receivers coming off the line of scrimmage and for using Stick 'Em on his hands before the league banned the substance and named the rule after Hayes. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. McCovey got his nickname from his slender-but-tall build. World Fame 100: Australia's Top 10 most famous athletes - ESPN.com 6 - Bill Russell, with special mention to Stan "the Man" Musial and Julius Erving, basketball's "Dr. J.". ", The NBA Hall of Fame member and current TNT studio analyst is also known as"Sir Charles.". He was also the second most prolific passer in NFL history, with 51,475 career passing yards, despite only leading the NFL in passing yardage once. Venus and Serena Williams. Hernndez is also known for the enormous leg kick featured in his delivery. 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. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. Eighty-eight years ago this week, the New York Yankees became the first professional sports team to permanently wear numbers on their uniforms. With more than 36 million social media followers on diverse platforms. While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. The legendary coach lived to be 99-years-old, passing away last June. Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. Lemieux was rewarded for his efforts with a third Stanley Cup, which he won as the owner in 2009. The tall glass of water is a solid shooter, and therefore, the gun jokes just flow. 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 Yankees great still holds the record for consecutive games with at least one hit with a 56-hit streak in 1941. Virat Kohli, nicknamed Chikoo, is a famous Indian international cricketer who is the present captain of the India national team.With a top record on his plate, he is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Larry was 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year and a two-time NBA All-Star selection. Famous Athletes - List & Biographies of World Famous Athletes Emmitt Smith. 31.April (Latin origin) meaning "open". [Results] Who is the most famous athlete of all time? "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". 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! 88. Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. Glen Davis was a big kid. Birth City: Oakville. The thumb is not called a "finger," and therefore doesn't count. Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. Moses Malone . Gordie Howe is considered one of the best hockey players in history but is also known for his friendly personality, kind demeanor, longevity as a player and prolific goal-scoring. "Charles is no stranger to the comical spotlight, so when this nickname surfaced, it obvious stuck. Often considered the greatest boxer, Ali made a name for himself with his quick footwork, skills, and trash-talking persona. 10 Tiger Woods Image Credit- PGA Tour. 99. The big man spent his best NBA days with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle SuperSonics, but he was also on the 1985 NBA All-Rookie First Team roster with the Dallas Mavericks. "While doing the research on why someone would name their child "Eldrick," it was discovered the nickname "Tiger" was given to him by his father. 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. Chamberlain is still holds the NBA record for points scored in a single game, and the paper he is holding is the number of points he dropped on the New York Knicks in 1962 as a member of the Philadelphia Warriors. He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. Paige is considered one of the best pitchers to play baseball, and it is a crying shame he didn't get a chance to enter the Major Leagues sooner than he did. Birth date: September 12, 1913. Due to his legal troubles, Jones has requested he now be known simply as "Adam Jones" in an effort to separate his new under-the-radar personality from his past troubles with the law. Seriously, the man eclipsed Rosie O'Donnell. The nickname stuck throughout his career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd. 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. 50 - Jamie Moyer One of the most flammable pitchers in the league in his 20s, Moyer looked like he might wash out of baseball after spending the . At nine years old, Davis was already 5'6" tall and weighed 160 lbs. This is one of the most fitting nicknames on the countdown. 33 his college number in his lone year alongside . It seemed so right to give him the nickname, giventhe man many consider to be the best boxer of all-time is also named "Sugar Ray" (Robinson). 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. The most frequent answer was Michael Jordan (23%), followed by Cristiano Ronaldo (15%) in second, and Muhammad Ali (12%) in third. From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. Players could put whatever name they wanted back there, and Smart's "He Hate Me" was the best of them all. Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" while playing Everett High School high as a 15-year-old sophomore. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. Jerry Rice is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. 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. famous athletes number 23 nicknamemeat carving knife blank. Jackie Robisons contribution to baseball and American society are so significant that he holds the honor of being the only player to have his number retired across Major League Baseball. Childhood friend and neighbor, Wilber Hines, said he gave Paige the nickname after he was caught trying to steal a bag. By Jamie Driver Eddie Fiola Interview Lifelounge Daily Goodness", "e*thirteen Rider Steve Peat Breaks UCI World Cup Record Silverfish UK", "Shoes, Ace, Shuffle and the best football nicknames from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates | Goal.com", "SportMob Top facts about Ruud Gullit, the Black Tulip", "The origins of Maradona's many nicknames: El Pelusa, El Cebollita", "Former Fulham and West Ham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42", "Matthew Booth a white knight for the black masses", "World Cup 2010: Matthew Booth the perfect advertisement for integrated South Africa", "Breesus' is the reason for potentially perfect season", "Calvin Johnson shows why Lions made him No. Best all-time MLB players at each jersey number, 1-99 It has spawned other nicknames involving athletes with the last name "Rodriguez," including the current record holder for most saves in a season, Frankie "K-Rod" Rodriguez. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. Robinson possessed tremendous self-control, enduring racial slurs, death threats, and hostile fans around the country. 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 "Golden Bear" moniker given to the famous golfer was the result of Melbourne Age writer Don Lawrencereferring to the "large, strong, and blond" player as the Golden Bear, and the nickname seemed fitting. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. ESPN World Fame 100 - Top Ranking Athletes The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. 24: Alworth, . number eight "Pocket Rocket" = Brent Russell, Utility players "Pocket Dynamo" = Gio Aplon, Fullback / Wing " Slaptjips" (Afrikaans for potato chips or french fries) = Pieter Rossouw, Wing "The . Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons 160 Player Nicknames Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts Michael Jordan's best nickname. Robinson's nickname is derived from his service in the United States Navy. Names that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg, Troy Vincent, David Beckham, Bob Gainey, and Ron Lancaster. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. He led the league in runs scored, home runs and RBI in separate seasons. Mlkvy received his nickname while attending Temple University. The world's 50 highest-paid athletes collected an astounding $2.97 billion before taxes and agents' fees over the last 12 months, smashing last year's record total by 8%more than $200 . He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, with 76.27 percent of the vote, just over the necessary 75 percent to qualify. 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. The nickname seems to describe his abilities perfectly, and Jordan and the moniker are now inseparable. Bill Russell, another legend of the sport, also wore No. While most remember him for his playing days in baseball, Williams is also a true American hero, leaving the game twice to enlist in the United States Armed Forces as a Marine Corps pilot. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". The wily pitcher was a fan favorite despite his volatile personality, and his moniker is indicative of his aggressive pitching style. He played professional football in the NFL with theAtlanta Falcons(19891993),San Francisco 49ers(1994),Dallas Cowboys(19951999),Washington Redskins(2000) andBaltimore Ravens(20042005). "The Human Highlight Film" has got to be one of the coolest nicknames in sport and it was perfect for Dominique Wilkins. When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'.