Famous Sports Nicknames: Can You Match the Athlete to the Name?

There are many great athletes who have adopted memorable nicknames that fans use to cheer them on. Many, like Wayne Gretzky AKA “The Great One” turned their nickname into a marketing tool. The best sports nicknames belong to the players we all know and love because a nickname is something people do not forget. Can you remember the best nicknames in sports?

Sports Nicknames

One of the best nicknames in sports is not King James, Broadway Joe, or Big Unit. The greatest nickname in sports belongs to the man that used it to become one of the richest athletes ever, Michael Jordan, and it was Air Jordan. Air Jordan was more than a nickname, it was a brand that made Michael Jordan very rich. The power of a nickname can change an athlete's entire career. Athletes do not become superstars unless there are some really good sports nicknames attached to them. How well do you know nicknames in sports?

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Question 1/15

"The Yankee Clipper" was a nickname given to a legendary Hall of Fame baseball player who truly was as gifted as anyone who's ever worn those epic pinstripes.

Mickey Mantle
Joe DiMaggio
Lou Gehrig
Ted Williams

Question 2/15

One of the best dunkers in NBA history earned the nickname "The Human Highlight Reel" because he would put on a show every single week, often destroying the rim.

Karl Malone
Vince Carter
Jason Richardson
Dominique Wilkins

Question 3/15

To become a legendary running back in the NFL, a player must deliver as much pain on defenders as himself, as well as be fast and tough to tackle. "Sweetness" was the name given to a man who would make running the football look graceful and beautiful.

Walter Payton
Emmitt Smith
Herschel Walker
Adrian Peterson

Question 4/15

It wasn't very often that an NHL goalie could carry a team like "The Dominator." He lived up to his nickname for the Buffalo Sabres, using his body to make it virtually impossible to score against him on any given night.

Patrick Roy
Martin Brodeur
Dominik Hasek
Jacques Plante

Question 5/15

Although he will never be a member of the baseball Hall of Fame, the man known as "Charlie Hustle" was the most dominant hitter the game has ever seen.

Joe Jackson
Willie Mays
Pete Rose
Ted Williams

Question 6/15

There have only been a handful of NBA players who operated on their opponents the way the man they call "Dr. J" did whenever he had the ball in his hands.

John Stockton
Julius Erving
Jerry West
Jason Kidd

Question 7/15

Using a name heard from a hit song back in the day, this former NFL cornerback was known simply as "Night Train" and was feared all over the league.

Rod Woodson
Paul Krause
Ed Reed
Dick Lane

Question 8/15

This former NBA MVP and Hall of Famer was known by many different nicknames, but one of the best nicknames he has is still "The Round Mound of Rebound."

Charles Barkley
Shaq
Magic Johnson
Dennis Rodman

Question 9/15

Due to his enormous 6'5", 240-pound size, "The Big Hurt" got his nickname from how much pain he was putting on the baseball whenever he connected with it.

Babe Ruth
Frank Thomas
Lou Gehrig
Reggie Jackson

Question 10/15

This former Hall of Fame guard was named "The Glove" because his tough defense tactics made players complain that he was on them like a glove.

Alvin Robertson
Gary Payton
John Stockton
Allen Iverson

Question 11/15

When this former NFL wide receiver entered the league in 2007, he was extremely big, super strong, and surprisingly fast, which was why he was eventually called "Megatron" by his teammates.

Mike Evans
Brandon Marshall
Andre Johnson
Calvin Johnson

Question 12/15

As one of the three best professional hockey players to ever live, it was only fitting that after his 34-year playing career, he would be known as "Mr. Hockey".

Mario Lemieux
Wayne Gretzky
Gordie Howe
Joe Sakic

Question 13/15

"Mr. October" got his nickname after hitting three home runs on three pitches against three pitchers during Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, in which the team would go on to win.

Frank Thomas
Lou Gehrig
Reggie Jackson
Mark McGwire

Question 14/15

After perfecting the finger roll, this NBA legend became known for his athletic ability and how smooth he was on the court, so it was fitting he was called "The Iceman".

Kobe Bryant
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Magic Johnson
George Gervin

Question 15/15

The "Honey Badger" got his nickname because he is not very big for a defensive back, but he was so tough, he never gave up on a play. They say he used his intelligence to find a way to get to the football and make impactful plays every week.

Tyrann Mathieu
Charles Woodson
Ronnie Lott
Ty Law

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Famous Sports Nicknames: Can You Match the Athlete to the Name?