Top 25 NFL Player Nicknames Of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
#23. “Ochocinco” Chad Johnson
After five consecutive Pro Bowl season, Chad changed his name to Chad Ochocinco in late August 2008. He would go on to have the worst year of his career up to that point and the second worst behind his final season in 2011 with the New England Patriots. Johnson is the Cincinnati Bengals all-time franchise leader in receptions (751), receiving yards (10,783), and receiving touchdowns (66). For anyone that doesn’t speak Spanish, like Ron Burgundy (which is ridiculous considering he was stationed in San Diego), Ochocinco translates to “eight five”, not eighty-five. But, ochenta y cinco is a mouthful and doesn’t look as cool on a jersey.
#22. LeSean “Shady” McCoy
The Harrisburg, PA native got his epithet from his mom who slapped the label on her son for his mood swings when he was younger, even though shady’s not a synonym for moody. McCoy’s mood has become actually shadier or darker as he’s engaged in a war of words with New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and had a falling out with Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly, whom LeSean implied was racially motivated. Oddly enough, McCoy enjoyed the best season of his career under Kelly in 2013 when he led the league in rushing yards, rushing yards per game and yards from scrimmage.
#21. “The Mad Bomber” Daryle Lamonica
No, Lamonica wasn’t named after George Metesky, the terrorist who bombed movie theaters, libraries, offices, and more in New York during the ‘40s and ‘50s. Instead, Daryle earned the name by regularly tossing long bombs no matter how covered his targets were. Al Davis traded for Daryle before the 1967 season. Up to that point, Lamonica was a backup with the Buffalo Bills where he was known as “The Fireman” for bailing out starter Jack Kemp and saving victories from the jaws of defeat.
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