MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 12: Joe Namath #12 of the New York Jets drops back to pass against the Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl on January 12, 1969 in Miami, Florida. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Here are 50 of the greatest all-time NFL nicknames. Do you agree? Disagree? Did we miss any good ones? Leave your comments and let us know.
50. Eugene Morris
“Mercury”
49. Dave Casper
Aug 4, 2018; Canton, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and Houston Oilers former tight end Dave Casper acknowledges the crowd during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Grand Parade on Cleveland Avenue. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“The Ghost”
48. Fred Williamson
Jan 15, 1967; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Max McGee (85) runs for a touchdown as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Fred Williamson (24) gives chase during Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Packers beat the Chiefs 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Rod Hanna-USA TODAY Sports
“The Hammer”
47. Greg Zuerlein
East Rutherford, NJ — October 14, 2024 — After missing two field goals run the second half, Greg Zuerlein of the Jets leaves the field at the end of the game. The Buffalo Bills came to MetLife Stadium to play the NY Jets. The Jets played their first game under new interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
“The Leg”
46. Jack Tatum
Jan 4, 1976, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders safety (32) Jack Tatum during the 1975 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Raiders 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
“The Assassin”
45. Sammy Baugh
“Slingin”
44. Bob Hayes
Aug 8, 2009; Canton, OH, USA; Bob Hayes Jr. (left) and Roger Staubach unveil bust of Bob Hayes at the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 07, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Oilers former head coach O.A. Phillips walks onto the field before the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“Bum”
41. Doug Martin
Dec 30, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) runs against Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
“Muscle Hamster”
40. Bill Parcells
Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcels stands on stage along with the Vince Lombardi trophy from Super Bowl XXV during half time ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of their championship at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
“Tuna”
39. Torry Holt
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 15: Torry Holt #81 of the St. Louis Rams makes a catch against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on October 15, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Seahawks beat the Rams 30 to 28. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
“Big Game”
38. Steve McNair
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 7: Steve McNair #9 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game October 7, 2001 at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. McNair played for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1995-2005. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“Air”
37. Ted Hendricks
“The Mad Stork”
36. Johnny Manziel
Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel looks on prior to the game against the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 17-7 at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
“Johnny Football”
35. Thomas Henderson
“Hollywood”
34. Jack Reynolds
“Hacksaw”
33. Carnell Williams
Auburn Tigers interim head coach Carnell Williams celebrates after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 41-17.
“Cadillac”
32. Elbert Woods
“Ickey”
31. Jevon Kearse
Tennessee Titans rookie and defensive end Jevon Kearse (90) chases down St. Louis Rams back Marshall Faulk (28) during action at Adelpha Coliseum in Nashville on October. 31, 1999.
“The Freak”
30. Michael Irvin
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Michael Irvin #88 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game December 23, 1990 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Irvin played for the Cowboys from 1988-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“The Playmaker”
29. Damon Harrison
Dec 15, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
“Snacks”
28. Kordell Stewart
Sep 7, 2003; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears quarterback Kordell Stewart (10) in action against the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
“Slash”
27. Red Grange
“The Galloping Ghost”
26. Stephen Baker
“The Touchdown Maker”
25. Craig Heyward
“Ironhead”
24. Ed Jones
“Too Tall”
23. Billy Johnson
Oct ,1983; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons receiver Billy White Shoes Johnson (81) runs with the ball at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
“White Shoes”
22. Tyreek Hill
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
“Cheetah”
21. Charles Tillman
Oct 30, 2005; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears #33 Charles Tillman runs off the field with teammate #23 Jerry Azumah after intercepting and scoring the winning touchdown in overtime against Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Bears beat the Lions 19-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
“Peanut”
20. Christian Okoye
Nov 4, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Kansas City Chiefs former running back Christian Okoye at the NFL Frankfurt Experience. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“Nigerian Nightmare”
19. Reggie White
Nov 30, 1986; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Reggie White (92) in action against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
“Minister of Defense”
18. Daryl Johnston
Mar 29, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Daryl Johnston head of UFL football operations on the sidelines during the first first half of a game between the Arlington Renegades and the San Antonio Brahmas at Choctaw Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
“Moose”
17. Floyd Womack
August 11, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Floyd Womack (78) prepares before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 24-18. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
“Pork Chop”
16. Kenny Stabler
Nov 1972; Unknown Location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders quarterback (12) KEN STABLER during the 1972 season. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
“The Snake”
15. Steve McMichael
Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael (76) on the field prior to Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots at the Superdome. The Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
“Mongo”
14. Raghib Ismail
Dec 12, 1993; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders receiver Raghib Ismail (86) in action against the Seattle Seahawks at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports
“Rocket”
13. O.J. Simpson
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1985, in 1974. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
“Juice”
12. Andre Rison
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 19: Wide receiver Andre Rison #80 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the field during pregame warmup prior to a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 19, 1994 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Falcons 28-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
“Bad Moon”
11. Elroy Hirsch
Dec 23, 1951; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams receiver Elroy Hirsch (40) catches a pass in front of Cleveland Browns defensive back Cliff Lewis (62) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the 1951 NFL Championship Game. The Rams defeated the Browns 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
“Crazy Legs”
10. Dick Lane
‘Night Train”
9. Joe Namath
Aug 17, 1969; New Haven, CT, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) in action against the New York Giants during the 1969 pre-season at the Yale Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
“Broadway Joe”
8. Marshawn Lynch
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 07: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs 15 yards for a touchdown against Nate Allen #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Evan Habeeb/Getty Images)
“Beast Mode”
7. Joe Greene
Hall of Fame defensive tackle “Mean” Joe Greene (75) of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Steelers 35-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
“Mean Joe”
6. Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders #21, Wide Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touch down in the end zone during their National Football Conference East Division game against the New York Giants on 21st September 1998 at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The Dallas Cowboys won the game 31 – 7.(Photo by Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
“Prime Time”
5. Tyrann Mathieu
Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) reacts to a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
“Honey Badger”
4. Calvin Johnson
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 23 : Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions warms up during pregame warm ups prior to playing the New England Patriots in an NFL football game on November 23, 2014 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Johnson played for the Lions from 2007-2015. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“Megatron”
3. Jerome Bettis
Pittsburgh Steeelers running back Jerome Bettis runs upfield in a 20 to 3 win over the New York Jets on October 8, 2000 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images)
“The Bus”
2. Walter Payton
American football player Walter Payton (1953 – 1999), of the Chicago Bears, pictured in uniform, Chicago, Illinois, November 21st 1977. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
“Sweetness”
1. William Perry
Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears defensive tackle (72) William Perry carries the football against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome. The Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
