What do you get when you cross one of the most intimidating presences in football with a Baptist minister? Cream of the Crop: The Master Blaster, The God of Cricket, Bradman of Modern Era. During Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Malone missed two crucial free throws after Scottie Pippen whispered, "The Mailman doesn't deliver on Sunday," to him just before he shot. Davis has worn the 23 jersey for the majority of his career, in which he has been NBA All-Star and achieved an Olympic gold medal. Wilkins might have actually exceeded Jordan's capacity in those areas, and his nickname is a reference to the fact that fans in attendance or watching on television could always count on Wilkins to reel off several spectacular plays game in and game out. It must have been effective because he was a major receiving threat, notching 60 touchdowns in his NFL career and making both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame. ACRONYMIC TITLE FOR A LEGENDARY ATHLETE Crossword Answer. 2 Coaches. Sometimes, no matter how fitting a nickname is, there isn't a truly great story behind it. Like English . While he may have had thin legs, thus the fourth nickname, "Bird Legs," Montana had the thickest of hearts. David looked at me and said: The number 23 then.. March 23, 2022 13:00 ET . 23, even if it was for a short period during his career. apbpa.org. Tatum, one of the NFL's most feared and controversial hitters, was nicknamed "The Assassin" because of his violent, reckless style. Tom Brady. Jones was so prolific at batting down passes during his time with the Cowboys that the NFL was compelled to start recording it as an official stat. Hall of Fame player Alex English deserves some recognition for wearing No. But rather, the extramarital affair he was allegedly having with his wife's brother's wife. Cream of the Crop:Crouchinho, El Esparagus, Two Metre Peter, RoboCrouch, Bean Pole. This nickname needs no explanation, but one will be provided anyway. Start your Foxtel Now 10-day free trial. Rison wanted his nickname to be Spider-Man, and during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, it was. One of the best and most intimidating players in baseball history, Johnson's nickname is an obvious one, owing to his towering height and overall presence on the diamond. There are some great nicknames in the NFL: The Gunslinger (Brett Favre) Marion the Barbarian (Marion Barber) . Michael Jordan is the most iconic No. Maurice "The Rocket" Richard is a legend in the city of Montreal. With 22 seasons in MLB, ten All-Star selections, nine years as the MLB's strikeout leader, a perfect game, a no-hitter, and one dead dove that flew in front of his pitch back in 2001, "The Big Unit" is undoubtedly destined for the Hall of Fame. One of the NFL's most explosive runners of the past decade, the 2014 Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawk makes our list at number six. While he may be widely known today for his HIV/AIDS diagnosis and activism, he is also one of the most decorated point guards in the history of the game. Even though Anthony Davis' major achievement in the NBA came with the LA Lakers and with No. but there are none as clearly defined as Wayne Gretzky is to the NHL. DiMaggio was a versatile, graceful player, a guy who could "do it all." Since then, he has gone 6-2 with his only losses coming to Lyoto Machida and Glover Teixeira. Thomas Edison, coined during Monroe's tenure at John Bartram High School, referenced his propensity for inventing new moves. As great as it was, it was also the basis for one of the legendary lines of trash talk in league history. The Ruud Devil is a fitting one as well for the retired Dutch footballer, who remains the second-highest goal scorer in Champions League history with 60 since retiring this past May. Archer is a legendary athlete like Milkha Singh who succumbed to Covid-19 on June 19 numbers sprinkled! That's right, the Philadelphia Eagles/Green Bay Packers great, Reggie White. Known for "The War" with Marvin Hagler, a three-round epic that saw both fighters trade punches continuously, Hearns also had a pair of classic, and controversial, fights with "Sugar" Ray Leonard. Cream of the Crop: The Round Mound of Rebound, Leaning Tower of Pizza, Pillsbury Dough Boy, The Crisco Kid. His actual first name is Earvin, but "Magic" is his widely accepted name these days. Never more than the fourth- or fifth-best player on any of his teams, Horry nonetheless developed a reputation for hitting huge shots at the biggest possible moments, earning him one of the best and most obvious nicknames in sports not to mention seven NBA titles. Joe Jackson. Emailed daily. And along the way, he gained a new moniker for every chapter. A good way to earn a nickname is to be so good that one just fits perfectly. There has been . Given that his heyday coincided nicely with the release of groundbreaking The Matrix Trilogy, the nickname was an especially appropriate one. Follow. Here's proof. Cream of the Crop: Lionheart, Tarzan, Superman. Even the crickets are applauding this selection. Number 23 - LeBron James; The Truth - Paul Pierce; King James - LeBron James; The . Wider culture has been too, and there is even a group of people called 23rdians who uncover all the times it crops up in history. Report. His natural ability coupled with a dizzying array of moves, including his signature "Dream shake," made guarding him more like a nightmare. The seven-time World Series Champion and twelve-time American League home run Champion is number two on this list, but not by much. 2. Let's just stick with "The Admiral.". "Darth" is obviously a Star Wars reference, to one of the greatest sci-fi/action villains of all time. He went on to wear it at LA Galaxy where he is credited as one of the main driving forces in the growth of MLS and football in America over the last decade. 26 Further reading. Mitch Richmond is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and played 14 seasons in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and LA Lakers. But it was actually one he had carried with him since high school when his coach bestowed it on him after a long, winding touchdown run. Jon Jones has the distinction of becoming the youngest champion in UFC . His speed, combined with a 6'1 250-260 lb frame, made him an absolute nightmare for would-be tacklers. 19. The man many people consider the greatest player of all time doesn't necessarily have a nickname that measures up to his feats on the court. Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal had a lot of nicknames throughout his career, including "Diesel," "The Big Cactus," and "Shaq Daddy.". Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. Chris Mueller is the co-host of The PM Team with Poni & Mueller on Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan, Monday-Fridayfrom 2-6 p.m. Overall, Davis has one NBA championship, eight All-Star appearances, four selections to the All-NBA teams and four to the All-Defensive teams. An athlete's quest for greatness goes far beyond the playing field. "The Splendid Splinter" (Ted Williams) 2. Chuck Liddell is one of the most prolific fighters in the history of the promotion and fought from 1998 until 2010, when he retired at age 40. Frank Thomas is one of the most prolific hitters in baseball history. But the crafty outfielder will always be remembered for his speed and heritage, both ingredients in creating the perfect names. Stabler was a villain for any football fan who disliked the Raiders, and there were plenty of those outside of Oakland. Wayne Gretzky leads all NHL skaters in points by nearly 1000 points. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. While it is true that most self-given nicknames don't take hold, Ali's did. Pretty frustrating, right? Maravich's nickname stemmed from the fact that he shot the ball from the side, as if he were holding a revolver. He currently holds a professional fighting record of 35-11, but is on a three fight winning streak since his 2013 start with Bellator, which of course followed his three fight losing streak with the UFC. He's been revered for his accomplishments, on 11 occasions. Ancient sex, conspiracies and MJ: How 23 became sport's most legendary number HOME . Number 23 is surely the most iconic and recognizable number in NBA history, mainly due to Michael Jordan's glorious career. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion turned Bellator competitor has a nickname that personifies his fighting style and is one of the most intimidating in the business. LeBron James has also added immense greatness to the figure with his legendary, title-winning career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Lakers (wearing 23). Sometimes, the nickname makes the man. However, the most famous man still wearing 23 is LeBron James, a star in LA, like Beckham, who was inspired by Jordan, also like Beckham. The owner of the Charlotte Hornets has earned lucky number thirteen here due to his iconic nickname. How does a guy born Walker Smith Jr. become "Sugar" Ray Robinson? Bad luck. As a result, Chuck earned every hefty nickname one could possibly script. teacher regularly showed her Grade 2 students movies, a number of which were rated PG-13, including Iron Man 3 and Dr. SportsIcon CEO and Co-Founder Chris Worsey previously built a number of EdTech startups . name of water birds with picture; lucas luetge scouting report. But then again, he's the most famous athlete in the world, so he's probably OK with the trade-off. From left to right: Mary Lou Retton, Megan Rapinoe, and Serena Williams. "The Rocket" led the Montreal Canadiens to multiple Stanley Cup Championshipsthroughout his career. The most famous person to wear the number, and also the first genuine superstar to wear it, was Michael Jordan. Cream of the Crop: Zeke from Cabin Creek, The Logo, Mr. Sometimes the simplest nicknames are best, and what better one for a man many still consider baseball's true home run king than "Hammerin' Hank." Erving called the friend "professor" and was called "doctor" in return. The AK-47 is still one of the most widely used . Rarely has a nickname better fit a player's personality and talents. Advertisement. "Sir Charles" is much quicker, and funnier, given Barkley's rough and tumble play on the court, as well as his loud, brash commentary off it. 23 on his back. Most would agree that "Penny" was a much more fun nickname for a player who possessed one of the league's most unique combinations of size and skill. The QB, who grew up in small-town Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, about 35 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, immediately took to the Big Apple, dressing in fur coats, hanging in the most elite social circles and becoming a tabloid fixture. Comment below!JOIN THE TOTALPROSPORTS TEAM and SUBSCRIBE! He is number two all time in terms of strikeouts thrown and won the World Series back in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. July 22, 2022 by Rob Navarro. No installation. Well, maybe. His self-assigned nickname has become a fan favorite, as Lynch is one of the most difficult NFL players to tackle and can also run faster than most of those trying to bring him down. Gretzky's nickname is self-explanatory, and his numbers, even playing in the run-and-gun 1980s, are still eye-popping and completely unreachable by any player, unless Sidney Crosby plays at a high level until he's around 50 years old. Ben Simmons suffers back injury during rehab from knee injury, Warriors' Draymond Green makes accusation against media regarding Europeans, Florida QB Anthony Richardson drops huge athletic marks at Combine, Jerry Jones shares surprising details on Cowboy stars, Grizzlies' Brooks suspended one game for technicals, Former All-Pro to leave 49ers, test free agency, Grizzlies suspend Ja Morant in wake of latest incident, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. withdraws from WBC due to knee injury, Grizzlies Brandon Clarke suffers torn Achilles, out for season, Report: Brad Hand joins Rockies on one-year deal. And hip-hop just saved a basketball career. A personal favorite here, as this nickname succinctly describes Johnson's game he was a key bench player for the Pistons, one who could get hot in a hurry when he entered a contest and rolls off the tongue nicely. LeBron James. 1. Whitey Ford derisively called baseball's all-time hit leader "Charlie Hustle" after he sprinted to first base after being walked in a spring training game, and Rose decided to embrace the moniker for the rest of his career. Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. We spoke to him about the numbers four and 23. Especially considering CBS reported that James refers to himself as the King in texts. "This partnership will allow us to engage the APBPA membership of current and former professional baseball players to lead the instruction at Legendary Athletes' 5 Tools youth baseball camps. But here's a few of them: "The Big Fella," "Diesel . The name "Rocket" came from the speed of his fastball, which was steadily between 97 and 100 mph early on in his career. The 170-pound netminder is now a goaltending coach for the Stars, naturally sharing his wisdom and resiliency with the new crop. There is no explanation necessary for this nickname, given to the man many feel is the greatest baseball player in history. Rod Smart gets a nod here too for "He Hate Me." Draymond Green's impact and influence on the Golden State Warriors' three NBA championships between 2015 and 2018 will surely make him a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after he retires. I could keep rambling off stats but these are some of The Great One's most impressive, and they prove that his nickname is the most iconic of the sports world, as he is, without any shadow of a doubt, the greatest who has ever lived. Known as the Babe to fans, and Jidge to teammates, George Herman Ruth was simply the holiest presence ever to step foot inside a batter's box. His series of moves used to make opposing players look silly was referred to as the "Dream Shake,"not to be confused with the Harlem Shake which is the stupidest internet fad of all time. This was in the mid-1990s, at a time when Michael Jordan was not in the league, and its popularity was not nearly what it is today. A graceful sprinter with long strides, she dominated Asian track-and-field events for most of the 1980s, winning 23 medals in all, 14 of which were gold. "Sweetness" is a great nickname for the late Walter Payton, who earned the nickname during his college career. Nicknames add color to sports and often become so popular that they serve as an athlete's de facto first name. However, he was graceful, fast, fluid and supremely skilled, and despite battling injuries his whole career, put up incredible stats. 7 Jun 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls walking to the bench duing a time out called during the NBA Finals game 3 against the Utah Jazz at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Chamberlain is regarded as one of the greatest players in history. Please logout and login again. Magic Johnson is one of them. Threeof the most famous are PGA Tour star (and world class womanizer) Tiger Woods, basketball star turned businessman Magic Johnson, and NFL quarterback turned commentator Boomer Esiason. Clemens won the Cy Young award seven times and the World Series twice. The seven foot tall Dream is the NBA's all-time block leader, is a two-time NBA Champion and a twelve-time All-Star. The nickname was coined by Ken Harrelson while Thomas was a member of the Chicago White Sox early in his career. And to those embraced individuals, bravo for the sportsmanship. Here's how the Page 2 staff ranked the best baseball nicknames of all-time: 1. His first name begins with the letter "O," and as a 6-foot-5 guard, he was uncommonly tall and physical for his era, dominating smaller players through a combination of size and skill. Nicknames, cool fonts, symbols and stylish names for Legendary - , Legend, , egenry, Legend,, Legendary. Before Jeremy Lin came along, there was a gravity-defying youngster by the name of Vince Carter who performed superhuman, thought-to-be-impossible moves with a basketball in his hands. He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, and 1970). A cutting-edge creation. Follow @z_pumerantz, extramarital affair he was allegedly having with his wife's brother's wife. If you're going to be known for your kicking, "The Toe" is one heck of a nickname. I'm 23 1 I know 23 1. Kemp, the driving force (along with Gary Payton) behind the SuperSonics' run as a power in the Western Conference, was given his nickname by Seattle broadcaster Kevin Calabro, who saw the name on a poster and decided to bestow it on Kemp. He set a bar that doesn't seem close to being touched. She was a crowd favourite wherever she raced. B.C. Oh, and he throws a slider so nasty that if you miss it by 3 feet, no one will bat an eyelash. Alain Prost. Payton was long regarded as one of the league's most tenacious on-ball defenders as well as one of its biggest trash talkers. Chad Johnson, on the other hand gets a dishonorable mention here. His alias, referring to his cold, calculating and ultimately calm style, is an intimidating nickname indicative of a psyche that many athletes wish they had. Look in all brains and you'll find me there too. His nickname was given to him by a Sacramento Kings media relations staffer, who said his play reminded her of pickup games in Chicago. I wanna be able to shoot like him. You'll want to cross-reference the length of the answers below with the required length in the crossword puzzle you are working on for the correct answer. These two retired baseball players share number 18 on our list because their names are similar, despite their completely different positions on the diamond. Old-school BMX rider Charles Townsend, who thrived between 1985 and 1996, remains an influential force in the sports realm with the melting pot of crafty, railroad-related nicknames he earned as an amateur.