Top 25 NFL Player Nicknames Of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
#11. “Run DMC” Darren McFadden
McFadden earned his moniker while at Arkansas running wild for the Razorbacks and is a tip of the cap to the legendary hip-hop group composed of Reverend Run (Joseph Simmons), Darryl McDaniels, and Jam Master Jay. Saturday Down South ranked Darren’s label as the second best nickname in the SEC all-time behind Johnny Football.
On SportsNation, a fan asked McFadden if he liked Run-D.M.C.’s music and what he thought of his handle. Darren replied, “I can’t say that I pay much attention to their music, but it’s something that comes along with the territory and I go along with it.” His 1,089 rushing yards were fourth most in the league in 2015 while his rushing yards per carry and per game were fourth best league-wide in 2010. DMc is sixth on the Raiders all-time rushing leaderboard.
#10. “Sweetness” Walter Payton
According to TriviaHappy, in the book Walter & Me it was revealed by Payton’s brother that the lifelong Chicago Bear was called “Bubba” as a child then “Little Monk”, “Spider-Man”, and “Sugar-Man” at Jackson State. The last of three labels lasted longest and eventually morphed into “Sweetness” with some believing it was a knock on his soft, high-pitched voice while others saw it as a tribute to how sweet his running style was. In that same book, an anonymous reporter was quoted as saying, “He runs so sweet that it gives me cavities just watching him.” Walt’s second on the NFL’s list of all-time career rushing yard leaders, and third on the league’s list for all-purpose yards.
#9. “Megatron” Calvin Johnson
Fellow Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams dubbed Johnson “Megatron” reportedly because Calvin’s hands were as big as the Decepticon leader’s from Transformers. Again, context and timing came into play as Michael Bay’s Transformers film adaptation was the big movie release of the year Johnson was drafted.
The six-time First Team All-Pro and 3-time Pro Bowler led the league in receptions in 2012, receiving touchdowns in 2008, and receiving yards in 2011 and ‘12. ICYMI, Johnson is the Lions’ all-time receiving leader for catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. If Calvin played ‘til the age of 40 and beyond like Jerry Rice, there’s a good chance he’d be considered the greatest wideout of all-time.
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