If a player did anything to attract attention to themselves, and not the team, he would be benched. Shaquille O'Neal, a Hall of Famer and all-time great, wore Nos. 28) on his jersey, the same number that Vaughn wore in the film. Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. 99 (he originally wore the No. Penny has attributed his successes in life to his grandma, who raised him up as a child while his mother was away working. In the realm of all-time nicknames, it is definitely sweet, but it hits the countdown towards the back, because there isn't much back story here, and he's not actually a hitman. Here are the nicknames of some of the other Olympians. 79, which is kind of interesting, but a few football players have. DiMaggio was bound to earn a few nicknames in his playing days, and "Joltin' Joe" was just the beginning. Baseball stars have had success with the number as well with Don Mattingly, Ryne Sandberg, and Zach Greinke thriving with the number 23 in . Rodman earned his moniker with aggressive and often over-the-top defense. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s, before he was dealt in a blockbuster deal to the Los Angeles Kings. The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that cocaine was used by 3.8 million Americans. 10 Tiger Woods Image Credit- PGA Tour. Famous for wearing the number 23 jersey throughout the entirety of his career, Murphy achieved much while playing, including . In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. This nickname is clever, scores big points for rhyming with the name and personifies Holyfield to the fullest. No list of the best athletes is complete without "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali. 6 also crosses over to baseball. He is the only player in the history of the league to receive this honor. He played his entire career from 1995-2001 with the Vancouver Grizzlies. One of the greatest athletes ever, Usain Bolt is popular by the nickname 'Lightning Bolt'. When he was younger, Bryant agreed to wrestle a captive bear, and the nickname was given to him by his siblings (Paul was the 11th of 12 children). He retired as the all-time leader in goals scored with 894 and holds the all-time lead in assists with 1,963. 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. His lawyer should have been named "The electric no possibility of victory but still attempting attorney.". Reese was a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. The obvious nickname is the third generation of his birth name. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. Johnson played for the Charlotte Hornets at the height of their popularity in the mid-'90s, and earned the nickname "Grandmama" after shooting a commercial for Converse. . The Wu-Tang Clan references are as . "AK-47" is simply Kirilenko's initials plus the number on his Utah Jazz jersey. After playing for a minor . Cosentino, Frank. He currently weighs 220 pounds and it's no longer a good past-time to poke fun at his weight, just all the loose skin that now must hang from his neck, arms and thighs. Clayton Kershaw. At the height of his career, Jordan could take off from the free-throw line and dunk the basketball. The big man also played for the USA Basketball team, was a two-time NBA Champion, won the NBA MVP in 1995 and was a 10-time NBA All-Star. Rumor has it, the pitcher wanted to return to the majors in 2008 at the tender age of 49, reports the Boston Globe. 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. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. The 100 Best Nicknames in Sports History - Bleacher Report Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. The nickname given to Camacho seems born out of synergy, contained in, and rhyming with, his last name. Sandy Koufax (Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers) 2. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. ESPN announce top 20 most famous male athletes of 2019 After Milwaukee, Payton played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. Between June 2016 and 2017, LeBron earned $86 million. Williams said he had wanted the No. The World Golf Hall of Fame member is a legend in the game, and his "Golden Bear" moniker has led to many endorsements and products that "bear" his name. NBA Countdown: Who wore No. 33 best? - Yahoo! Each sprin 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. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . As captain of the Yankees, Jeter epitomized the clubs ideals and excelled on the field. In related news, the US Congress prosecuted a rocket for perjury for the first time in history. 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.". 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. This list rewards creativity, and while Ali is the greatest boxer ever, his nickname isn't the most creative moniker in sports. He is a two-time NBA MVP and 13-time NBA All-Star selection and is currently ranked second all-time in NBA scoring. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." 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. He is also one of the most dominant. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. The sports television outlet have come up with a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and the amount of intern No. The thumb is not called a "finger," and therefore doesn't count. Emmitt Smith. During theWorld Seriesagainst theDodgers, Munson was interviewed and suggested that Jackson, because of his past postseason performances, might be the better interview subject. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. 2 - Secretariat. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Undoubtedly the most famous athlete in the country, a movie . Namath's nickname "Broadway Joe" was given him bySherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate. Toggle the table of contents . Williams said he didnt change his number until 1993 because that was his first chance to do it.". Rick Helling (Texas Rangers) 9. In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. A lot of these athletes have worn other numbers as well. 6. If pressed to name a national sport, Malaysians would say "badminton.". While attending the University of Michigan, Traylor earned his nickname for his tremendous size, dominance in the paint, and the way "Tractor" just seemed to flow with his last name. He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). Sanders played professional baseball with theNew York Yankees(19891990),Atlanta Braves(19911994),Cincinnati Reds(19941995, 1997, 2001) andSan Francisco Giants(1995). 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." Drexler has had his nickname since his days at the University of Houston, named for his speed and athleticism on the court and his pleasant and easygoing nature in his private life. "Charles is no stranger to the comical spotlight, so when this nickname surfaced, it obvious stuck. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine NFL seasons, led the league in rushing eight times, and earned four MVP awards. Jackson hit home runs in Game 4 and Game 5 of the Series. 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. 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). Top 10 Sports Nicknames of All Time - The Uproar . Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). Forever remembered for his involvement in the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson was known for his lightning-quick feet and agility, earning the moniker that would become inseparable from his legacy. He followed that up by winning the same titles in the European Athletics Championships in 2014. It shows that the number 42 signifies a piece of history in baseball. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la 4 in assists and Nash, another who wore No. 5 - Joe DiMaggio. Geoffrion was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1972, following a stellar career as a right winger with the Montreal Canadians and New York Rangers. Brown is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, thanks to his brutal yet elegant rushing style. Lists of nicknames - nickname list articles on Wikipedia While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. 23 before Michael Jordan? Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. 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. Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 22 - Sportsnet.ca According to an interview on theDan Patrickradio showon10/22/08, the number change had nothing to do with the filmMajor League. With more than 36 million social media followers on diverse platforms. Childhood friend and neighbor, Wilber Hines, said he gave Paige the nickname after he was caught trying to steal a bag. Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972, at age 53. What athlete is number 23? | Dependable He added an "H" to his name later in his career in homage to his Muslim faith. Pro Football Hall of Famers by Jersey Numbers Class of 2004 inductee Bob Brown wore #76 with the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders. Wilkins played 11 seasons of NBA basketball with the Atlanta Hawks and was a nine-time NBA All-Star. Let's start with the two most simple nicknames: Mike and MJ. Famous # 32's | More Sports - TigerDroppings Muhammad Ali. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. Reggie White (December 19, 1961 December 26, 2004), was known as a devout Christian and ordained Evangelical Minister. In the News: Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady. Hardaway was a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA first team selection and NBA All-Rookie first team selection (1994). Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. 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. 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!" His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. The over-sized running back looked like a bus carrying opponents on his back while being dressed in yellow and black. "The Owl Without A Vowel" only played one season in the NBA with the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors), but the nickname has stuck with him ever since college. Vande Velde's View: My ability to discern "Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing, Chapter 5", "NSMB.e.MAGAZINE Freeride, Extreme and North Shore style Mountain Biking", "The King of BMX. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. Jordan adopted the number in high school because his brother wore his preferred #45. 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.". No. Fracisco Cordova (Pittsburg Pirates) 8. Boston's prodigal son, Ortiz has become an icon in Bean Town for his clutch hitting and lovable personality. "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 ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. 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. (A special thanks to The Sandlot for assisting with this slide), 8Pro Bowlselection (1981,1983,1984,1985,1987,1989,1990,1993), 3 First TeamAll-Proselection (1987,1989,1990), 3 Second Team All-Pro selection (1981,1983,1984), 4Super Bowlchampion (XVI,XIX,XXIII,XXIV). The nickname stuck throughout his career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd. The Neon legend was born in Tallahassee, where Sanders was a two-time consensus All-America, and a Jim Thorpe . Every year, LeBron James earns around $25 million in salary from the Cleveland Cavaliers and roughly $55 million from endorsements. In less than a decade, both MLB catchers will be Hall of Fame members. 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. The #7 shirt at Liverpool has a long and storied history that has seen some of the clubs best players wear the number. Johnson was elected to theNBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996, is a five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, a three-time MVP and a 12-time All-Star. Gender: Male. LeBron James's net worth 2018 is around $485 million. 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. Hall of Famers by Jersey Number - Pro Football Hall of Fame Kansas City-Omaha Kings ( 75) Jerry McKee. These two sisters dominate women's tennis, changing the sport from one of finesse and skill into one characterizing violent power. We all know Dizzy and Daffy, Crazy Legs, Shoeless Joe, King James, The Great One and Air Jordan. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. But we know him best for the TV personality aspect. [Results] Who is the most famous athlete of all time? The Greatest Athletes by Number (00-10) - Sports Illustrated 32 and 34 for the first 17 of his 19 NBA seasons, before adopting No. 23 Greatest Athletes to Wear No. 23 Quiz Stats - By schredder - Sporcle He overcame an HIV diagnosis and has continued his success off the court in the business world. Pel - Wikipedia 23 in NBA history. 3 - Babe Ruth. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. Ivan Rodriguez also got his moniker for the same reason. 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. Hernndez is also known for the enormous leg kick featured in his delivery. 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 injury was a blessing in disguise, actually giving him an edge on the mound. The Hall of Famer battled through segregation to become one of the greatest left-handed hitters in Major League Baseball history. We have to say it: "He'll stomp on a child's testicles, but he won't poop on a pigeon.".