thunderstruck88
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Nicknames hold a special place in football. Exceed to such a degree, perform in such a tremendous manner, and just maybe the term “defensive line” or “wide receivers” isn’t enough.
That’s when a nickname is needed. Often, monikers give the player or group a superhero sense, taking them from the playing field to the pages of a comic book, from mortal to invincible, from anonymous athlete to beloved figure.
The Triplets Running back Emmitt Smith joins quarterback Troy Aikman and receiver Michael Irvin in the Hall. The trio, which led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships, was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor on the same day.
The Hogs Russ Grimm
is the first of The Hogs to be enshrined in Canton. Washington’s dominating offensive lines blocked for five different 1,000-yard rushers during the Hog era (1981-95) and won three Super Bowls. Some fans still dress up as Hogs (left) to attend Redskins home games.
Blitzburgh **** LeBeau’s zone blitzes, with Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene scaring the bejesus out of quarterbacks, earned the Steelers a nickname that lives on today.
Dome Patrol Rickey Jackson once joined fellow Saints linebackers Sam Mills, Pat Swilling and Vaughan Johnson at the Pro Bowl in the same season. The quartet led a defense that allowed the fewest points in the league twice.
A sampling of other notable nicknames:
Air Coryell
• Don Coryell’s prolific passing game in San Diego made quarterback Dan Fouts a Hall of Famer. The late Coryell might join Fouts in Canton someday.
America’s Team
• The Cowboys’ large following around the nation earned them this distinction.
Doomsday Defense
• There were two versions of Doomsday in Dallas, operating from 1966 to 1971 and 1977 to 1982 and spawning Hall of Famers Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro and Randy White. They won two Super Bowl titles.
Electric Company
• Buffalo linemen Donnie Green, Joe DeLamielleure, Mike Montler, Dave Foley and Reggie McKenzie opened holes for O.J. Simpson. Simpson and DeLamielleure found their way to Canton.
Fearsome Foursome
• Used to describe several great defensive lines, the term is most associated with the Rams’ Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Lamar Lundy of the 1960s.
Fun Bunch
• While The Hogs were doing their business in the trenches, Charlie Brown, Virgil Seay, Alvin Garrett, Rick Walker and Donnie Warren were putting on a show in the Redskins passing game and celebrating touchdowns with group high-fives. Art Monk, the only Hall of Famer of the bunch, didn’t always take part.
Greatest Show on Turf
• Led by Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner, the high-powered Rams reached two Super Bowls, winning one.
Kardiac Kids
• A name near and dear to Northeast Ohio fans, the 1980 Browns saved their best for late.
Monsters of the Midway
• A classic. The name has been bestowed on good Chicago Bears teams since the 1940s, epitomized by legends such as Bronko Nagurski and **** Butkus.
No-Name Defense
• The Miami Dolphins’ defense of the 1970s had little name recognition. And no losses in their perfect 1972 season.
Over the Hill Gang
• George Allen’s Redskin teams were filled with 30-somethings, and those veteran teams produced a .689 winning percentage, five playoff nods and one Super Bowl appearances in Allen’s seven years.
Orange Crush
• Lyle Alzado and Ohio State product Randy Gradishar led the powerful Broncos defense of the 1970s.
Purple People Eaters
• Canton native Alan Page — the 1971 NFL MVP and a nine-time Pro Bowler — has a bust in his hometown. Carl Eller joined him in the Hall in 2004 to further the legend of his front four.
Steel Curtain
• Led by “Mean” Joe Greene up front in the 1970s, Pittsburgh’s famed defense would help produce four Super Bowl championships and four Hall of Famers — Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount.
That’s when a nickname is needed. Often, monikers give the player or group a superhero sense, taking them from the playing field to the pages of a comic book, from mortal to invincible, from anonymous athlete to beloved figure.
The Triplets Running back Emmitt Smith joins quarterback Troy Aikman and receiver Michael Irvin in the Hall. The trio, which led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships, was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor on the same day.
The Hogs Russ Grimm
is the first of The Hogs to be enshrined in Canton. Washington’s dominating offensive lines blocked for five different 1,000-yard rushers during the Hog era (1981-95) and won three Super Bowls. Some fans still dress up as Hogs (left) to attend Redskins home games.
Blitzburgh **** LeBeau’s zone blitzes, with Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene scaring the bejesus out of quarterbacks, earned the Steelers a nickname that lives on today.
Dome Patrol Rickey Jackson once joined fellow Saints linebackers Sam Mills, Pat Swilling and Vaughan Johnson at the Pro Bowl in the same season. The quartet led a defense that allowed the fewest points in the league twice.
A sampling of other notable nicknames:
Air Coryell
• Don Coryell’s prolific passing game in San Diego made quarterback Dan Fouts a Hall of Famer. The late Coryell might join Fouts in Canton someday.
America’s Team
• The Cowboys’ large following around the nation earned them this distinction.
Doomsday Defense
• There were two versions of Doomsday in Dallas, operating from 1966 to 1971 and 1977 to 1982 and spawning Hall of Famers Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro and Randy White. They won two Super Bowl titles.
Electric Company
• Buffalo linemen Donnie Green, Joe DeLamielleure, Mike Montler, Dave Foley and Reggie McKenzie opened holes for O.J. Simpson. Simpson and DeLamielleure found their way to Canton.
Fearsome Foursome
• Used to describe several great defensive lines, the term is most associated with the Rams’ Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Lamar Lundy of the 1960s.
Fun Bunch
• While The Hogs were doing their business in the trenches, Charlie Brown, Virgil Seay, Alvin Garrett, Rick Walker and Donnie Warren were putting on a show in the Redskins passing game and celebrating touchdowns with group high-fives. Art Monk, the only Hall of Famer of the bunch, didn’t always take part.
Greatest Show on Turf
• Led by Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner, the high-powered Rams reached two Super Bowls, winning one.
Kardiac Kids
• A name near and dear to Northeast Ohio fans, the 1980 Browns saved their best for late.
Monsters of the Midway
• A classic. The name has been bestowed on good Chicago Bears teams since the 1940s, epitomized by legends such as Bronko Nagurski and **** Butkus.
No-Name Defense
• The Miami Dolphins’ defense of the 1970s had little name recognition. And no losses in their perfect 1972 season.
Over the Hill Gang
• George Allen’s Redskin teams were filled with 30-somethings, and those veteran teams produced a .689 winning percentage, five playoff nods and one Super Bowl appearances in Allen’s seven years.
Orange Crush
• Lyle Alzado and Ohio State product Randy Gradishar led the powerful Broncos defense of the 1970s.
Purple People Eaters
• Canton native Alan Page — the 1971 NFL MVP and a nine-time Pro Bowler — has a bust in his hometown. Carl Eller joined him in the Hall in 2004 to further the legend of his front four.
Steel Curtain
• Led by “Mean” Joe Greene up front in the 1970s, Pittsburgh’s famed defense would help produce four Super Bowl championships and four Hall of Famers — Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Mel Blount.
