10 Tiger Woods Image Credit- PGA Tour. In 1993, he signed the most lucrative contract in NBA history (at that time) to play for the Hornets, a 12-year, $84 million deal. The over-sized running back looked like a bus carrying opponents on his back while being dressed in yellow and black. 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. Larry was 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year and a two-time NBA All-Star selection. 6 during his days with the Boston Celtics. In modern sports, athletes are valuable assets that are the centerpiece of advertising campaigns and the faces of their organizations. There are so many famous AKAs in the world of sports, and many deserve their place at the top of the heap. 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. All Players To Wear Number 23 | Pro-Football-Reference.com Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. What was your favorite jersey number that numerous legends wore? He is a nine-time NBA All-Star, was the NBA scoring champion in 1986 and won two dunk contests (1985, 1990). A Social History Of America's Most Popular Drugs - PBS Birth Year: 1913. According to an interview on theDan Patrickradio showon10/22/08, the number change had nothing to do with the filmMajor League. Best all-time MLB players at each jersey number, 1-99 and the name stuck. 1. Famous Athletes - List & Biographies of World Famous Athletes Best Known For: American track and . While most think the successful Alabama Crimson Tide coach was named "Bear" for his personality, it was actually given to him as a child. 3 - Babe Ruth. The lefty was also a six-time Stanley Cup Champion and winner of multiple awards. 23 before Michael Jordan? No NBA player has ever wore No. One of the greatest athletes ever, Usain Bolt is popular by the nickname 'Lightning Bolt'. famous athletes number 23 nickname - masar.group He is famous for his blocked shots and on-the-court bouts with Shaquille O'Neal while O'Neal was a member for the Orlando Magic. In his playing days, Jerome was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. Chuck Klien (Philadelphia Phillies) 4. From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. 2 2. During his time with the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls and led the league in receiving yardage six times. Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. Was the famous number 23 of the Chicago Bulls? Andre Dawson's nickname, "The Hawk," was given to him by an uncle when Andre was very young. Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. "Mr. Hockey" is used to sum up his life, and it is very fitting. Rose is the career MLB hits leader, having recorded 4,256 knocks. ), "The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Inductees". This obvious alias comes from the "Wizard of Oz," and is in combination with Smith's shortened first name, "Oz.". Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the best hockey player ever to play the game, in the same conversations with Gordie Howe and Brett Hull. Other nicknames include "Pillsbury Throwboy," "J. 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. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of th. Reeves wasnicknamed"Big Country"by his college teammateByron Houstonwhen Reeves was amazed by his first airplane flight across theUnited States. Full Site Menu. The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. In Oakland, he had been known as "Jax" and "Buck.". The #7 has been passed down from Kevin Keegan to Kenny Daglish to Luis Suarez, and many others have held the honor of wearing the most iconic number for one of Englands most decorated football clubs. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. As far as boxing nicknames are concerned, "The Executioner" isn't very imaginative but still intimidating. These individuals are synonymous with these names and will always remember their playing days and the monikers we used to make them legends of the lingo. As time passes, these athletes will be remembered for the accomplishments achieved while wearing their preferred numbers. the bat to Trumper. His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". 4 in assists and Nash, another who wore No. 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.". 26 Famous Athletes Who Changed the World of Sports Forever 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 . His #32 has been retired by the Cleveland Browns. Here's a little lesson for all you readers out there, confused as to how he loses one finger and only has three remaining. The obvious nickname is the third generation of his birth name. Greatest College Football Players by Jersey Number Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. Toggle the table of contents . Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.". Aaron's nickname epitomizes his performance at the plate. In his era, people of this stature were commonly called "stretch," for the way they appeared lengthened out as if someone had grabbed their toes while someone else held them by the head and pulled in the opposite direction. 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. His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. 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. Really? Gender: Male. 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. At the height of his career, Jordan could take off from the free-throw line and dunk the basketball. Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs) 7. 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. While sporting the #66, he helped the Penguins lift the Stanley Cup twice, won three Hart Trophies, and earned six Art Ross Trophies as the leagues leading scorer. Pro Football Hall of Famers by Jersey Numbers Class of 2004 inductee Bob Brown wore #76 with the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders. Top 15 Most Iconic Numbers in Sports - TheSportster Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. Dominique Wilkins. Rick Helling (Texas Rangers) 9. The 10 Most Iconic Jersey Numbers in Sports History This moniker has nothing to do with Smith on a personal level, other than his ability to make spectacular plays and do back flips off the turf. Whatever you want to call him, McGriff had a solid career in MLB, playing for seven teams and recording three Silver Sluggers, five All-Star appearances and a 1995 World Series Championship with the Atlanta Braves. No. The switch worked because Magic and the Showtime Lakers won the NBA Title in 1980 and would go on to win four more before the end of Magics career. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. It was Mike Bratz, a point guard who played 15 games in the 1982-83 season). 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 retired as the all-time leader in goals scored with 894 and holds the all-time lead in assists with 1,963. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. However, his nickname doesn't rank very highly on a list of originality and creativity. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." 88. He has been inducted into the Pro and College Football Hall of Fames as well as the Atlanta Falcons ring of honor. Ranker Sports. While his nickname is creative, it is also a prime example of racial prejudice and bigotry. But who makes it into Australia-only top 10? The Rams and Jets QB also did several endorsement commercials during his playing days, including this one for pantyhose, no joke. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". The legendary coach lived to be 99-years-old, passing away last June. WIZARDS OF CRICKET. The sports television outlet have come up with a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and the amount of intern Payton is also likely the best player to ever play at Oregon State University, with A.C. Green, Brent Barry and Corey Benjamin in the discussion. Brown has inspired generations of running backs to wear #32 in his honor including Marcus Allen and OJ Simpson. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. "Apparently, White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson tagged Thomas with the nickname "Big Hurt" because that's exactly what he does to opposing pitchers. 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. During and following his boxing career, Tyson is known for his unusual and often frightening quotes and taunts and also several run-ins with law enforcement. Top 10 Runners in the World - SportsRec Mookie Blaylock could have been the name of a famous band. For most of his career, Jordan sported the #23, except for one season during which he donned #45 after his return from retirement. ESPN have announced the top 20 most famous athletes of 2019. Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. If a player did anything to attract attention to themselves, and not the team, he would be benched. Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 23 - sportsnet.ca Jesse Owens - Movie, Olympics & Quotes - Biography "Joltin' " refers to his speed and ability to get a jump on the ball off the bat in the outfield and his smart baserunning abilities. He built a contraption out of poles that allowed him to carry more bags than his co-workers. List of Top 100 Athletes in the World and their Net worth (2023) application of binomial distribution in civil engineering eames replica lounge chair review eames replica lounge chair review The 100 Best Nicknames in Sports History - Bleacher Report If the Cuban pitcher ever wanted to sue the founder of Pilates, he may have a solid case. 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. 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. Newton was the prime example of how munchies can have devastating effects on your weight and physical appearance. He spent 12 years in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. 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.". 99 for years because of an admiration for the football playerMark Gastineau, who also wore No. 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. 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. The Best Athletes Who Wore #23 - Ranker An eight-time Pro Bowl . 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 legacy will live on in college basketball and the hearts of his students forever. 6 - Bill Russell, with special mention to Stan "the Man" Musial and Julius Erving, basketball's "Dr. J.". August 10, 2021 9:00 am. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 31.April (Latin origin) meaning "open". Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. The Wu-Tang Clan references are as . No. 23 in NBA history. Clyde Drexler. Best Athletes by Number: 66-99. If pressed to name a national sport, Malaysians would say "badminton.". These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. The World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2022 - Forbes Most recently, Suarez brought the shirt some disgrace with his on-field antics, but he also helped Liverpool mount their best title challenge in over a decade. This list rewards creativity, and while Ali is the greatest boxer ever, his nickname isn't the most creative moniker in sports. 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 . The 6'9", 271lb lineman recorded 57 sacks in his career but played before the sack became an official stat in 1982. Malone was known for his consistency and durability and for teaming up with a sprightly white guy in short shorts all those years as a member of the Utah Jazz. But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Jackson spent 12 years in the majors with thePhiladelphia Athletics(19081909),Cleveland Naps/Indians(19101915) andChicago White Sox(19151920). "Prime Time" was more than just a nickname for Sanders, it became his alter-ego, and it became difficult to separate the man from the legend. 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. That brings his total annual income to roughly $80 million. 25 References. Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd With more than 36 million social media followers on diverse platforms. Pel - Wikipedia He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, and 1970). 79 - Rosey Brown. The program will chronicle Tyson's love for pigeon racing. #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. Each time he reached a new team, he would shout out "Say hey, man" in order to get his teammates attention, and the name stuck with him wherever he went. Clemens' major league career has clearly been overshadowed by steroid use allegations in recent years, but the pitcher's dominance on the mound is worth noting. There's no inventive story here: "Dr. J" was given to Julius Erving by a high school friend, who watched him play and likened his smoothness with the ball and ability to score like the precision of a doctor performing surgery. William Perry was a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears from 1985-93, and the team used him on both sides of the ball. 13 Most Popular Number In Sports [2023 Update] - Players Bio Answer: Jack Nicklaus. Considered one of the best players in professional basketball history, Maravich's life ended and began when he suffered a heart attack while playing a pick-up game in Pasadena, Calif. Maravich was a devout Christian and said shortly before his death he would like to be remembered as a follower of Christ, and not a basketball player. 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 most frequent answer was Michael Jordan (23%), followed by Cristiano Ronaldo (15%) in second, and Muhammad Ali (12%) in third. Publish date: May 25, 2009. . Top 20 Most Incredible Athlete Nicknames - TheSportster 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. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. The nickname seems to describe his abilities perfectly, and Jordan and the moniker are now inseparable. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of the players. The 6 Best NBA Players to Wear the Number 23 - Sports Templates Fred Stabley Jr. of theLansing State Journal, gave him themoniker, despite protest from Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, who claimed it was sacrilegious. BATS THAT THEY HAVE WIELDED E. MAYNE'S PRICELESS COLLECTION The Stradivarius to Kreisler . "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". Wooden disapproved so mightily of individual achievement, he wouldn't even allow his players to dunk the ball. Rodman earned his moniker with aggressive and often over-the-top defense. Jeter is an iconic figure from a club renowned for outstanding players and has stood out among the games all-time greats. He amazed hockey fans from the moment he stepped onto the ice with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978. Beginning in March, Tyson will be featured in a six-part series on Animal Planet entitled, "Taking on Tyson." Jeter was named to fourteen All-Star teams and won the World Series five times during his career with the Bronx Bombers. At every turn, Ronaldo has succeeded and proved to be the best. The name stuck throughout Rich Gossage's playing days, and he is affectionately known by the moniker to this day. We all know Dizzy and Daffy, Crazy Legs, Shoeless Joe, King James, The Great One and Air Jordan. The best athlete to wear every number | Yardbarker Lemieux was rewarded for his efforts with a third Stanley Cup, which he won as the owner in 2009. mark reinstein/Shutterstock. The league quirky tweaks of NFL rules, including a mad dash to midfield to gain possession of the ball, rather than a kickoff. 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. famous athletes number 23 nicknamemeat carving knife blank. Birth State: Alabama. . Perkins played the game with pride and a seemingly calm demeanor that earned him the nickname "Big Smooth.". 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. Legendary NFL players with number 18 jerseys include Peyton Manning, Charlie Joiner, and Emmitt Thomas, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career . "The Glide" is a member of the Hall of Fame and captured the 1995 NBA championship with the Houston Rockets. His nickname, Louisiana Lightning, is an all-timer. LeBron James's net worth 2018 is around $485 million. 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. Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. Olympic Athletes - Biographies, Medals & More 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.