Top 25 NFL Player Nicknames Of All-Time
By Neal Lynch
#5. William “Refrigerator” Perry
Perry got the nickname “Refrigerator” in 1981 when he was a freshman at Clemson. Tiger teammate Ray Brown had trouble squeezing into an elevator with Big Willie on their way to the laundry room. Brown remarked, “Man, you’re about as big as a refrigerator.”
According to the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the ‘85 Bears, Chicago’s first round pick of the 1985 NFL Draft also had fellow defensive lineman Dan Hampton call him “Biscuit,” because he was “one biscuit shy of 350 pounds”. Fridge was best known for being the short-yardage and goal-line back but the 11-year vet registered more than 500 solo tackles over the course of his career with his best seasons coming 1986, 1990, 1994, 1991, and 1985.
#4 “Slash” Kordell Stewart
Supposedly, Myron Cope done did it again! This time as the Pittsburgh Steelers color commentator, Cope apparently coined the term “Slash” because of Stewart’s versatility as a quarterback – slash – receiver – slash – running back, though some think head coach Bill Cowher created the moniker.
Stewart had a career year in 1997 when he had 21 passing touchdowns (6th best in NFL) and 11 rushing touchdowns (3rd in league), in addition to leading the league in fourth quarter comebacks and game-winning drives. The one-time Pro Bowler also had exceptional efforts in 2000 and 2001. Kordell is also in the top 10 all-time for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
#3. “Prime Time” aka “Neon” Deion Sanders
The 8-time All-Pro, 6-time Pro Bowler, and Hall of Famer supposedly got his “Prime Time” handle from his high school teammate Richard Fain after Deion — an athlete known for playing professional football and baseball — put on a show during pickup basketball games during prime-time television programming. Those who played and watched would call it “must-see” entertainment. Sanders’ tweet verifies this.
Anyone who watched Deion at Florida State or with the Atlanta Falcons can attest to Sanders being the star of the broadcast. I’m a Giants fan and I’d tune in to see Neon high-step his way all over the field. Prime Time led the league in non-offensive touchdowns three times (1990, 1991, 1998), and kick return yards in 1992. “Prime Time” was also the name of the rap album he released in 1994, which peaked at 70 on the US Hip Hop chart.
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