Nicknames in the NFL have been around for decades. They help bring back memories of a player’s style, and personality, their swag, or drip on and off the field. These nicknames have even grown to become part of a player’s marketing and brand strategy. Some are outrageous and some just make sense.
The NY Giants Rush crew got together and took a vote on the best nicknames in the NFL, past and present. Enclosed are the voted TOP 5 ALL Time…and the honorable mentions.
Nicknames don’t always represent the best players or members of the Hall of Fame.
#1 – Walter Payton
Nickname: SWEETNESS
#2 – Calvin Johnson
Nickname: MEGATRON
#3 – Deon Sanders
Nickname: PRIMETIME
#4 – Peyton Manning
Nickname: THE SHERIFF
#5 – Dick Lane
Nickname: NIGHT TRAIN
Honorable Mentions
- #6 – Joe “Broadway” Namath
- #7 – Marshawn” BeastMode” Lynch
- #8 – Joe” Mean Joe” Green
- #9 – Christain “Nigerian Nightmare” Okoye
- #10 – Stephen Baker – “The Touchdown Maker”
- #11 – Dante “Human Joystick” Hall
- #12 – Jerome “The Bus” Bettis
- #13 – William “The Refrigerator” Perry
- #14 – Darrelle Revis “Island”
- #15 – Craig “IronHead” Heyward
- #16 – Reggie “Minister of Defense” White
- #17 – Damon “Snacks” Harrison
- #18 – Bill “Tuna” Parcells
- #19 – Billy “White Shoes” Johnson
- #20 – Matt “Matty Ice” Ryan
- #21 – Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson
- #22 – Jeremiah “The Axe Man” Trottier
- #23 – John “Pepper” Johnson
- #24 – Steve “Air” McNair
- #25 – Mike “A Train” Alstot
Received a vote:
- Henry “Hynocerus” Hynoski
- Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu
- Kordell “Slash” Stewart
- Michael “Playmaker” Irvin
- Ed “Too Tall” Jones
- Gilbert “Grave Digger” Brown
- Joe “Cool” Montana
- Red “Galloping Ghost” Grange
- Michael “Beer Man” Lewis
- Robert “Dr. Doom” Brazile
- Terrell “T-Sizzle” Suggs
- Daryl “Moose” Johnson
- Darren “Run DMC” McFadden
- Eli “Big Easy” or “Easy E” Manning