White was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection. It has been a popular jersey number for decades with success of athletes across the board. The legend became the Baseball Hall of Famer in 1962. For the fourth year running, Cristiano Ronaldo took the crown as the world's most famous sporting icon in ESPN's World Fame 100. Shaquille O'Neal, a Hall of Famer and all-time great, wore Nos. #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. mark reinstein/Shutterstock. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of th. Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. The nickname seems to describe his abilities perfectly, and Jordan and the moniker are now inseparable. WIZARDS OF CRICKET Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19678, 21 The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. The nickname given to Camacho seems born out of synergy, contained in, and rhyming with, his last name. The lefty was also a six-time Stanley Cup Champion and winner of multiple awards. A power reliever, he put his full weight behind every pitch, so that he dropped hard to the right, sometimes falling off the mound. There are so many famous AKAs in the world of sports, and many deserve their place at the top of the heap. Hall of Famers by Jersey Number. 99 (he originally wore the No. He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has been the team's captain since 2013.His record list includes the fastest century by an Indian . Playing for the University ofColoradoBuffaloes in 1994, Kordell Stewart completed a Hail Mary passto beat theUniversity of Michigan27-26, a play known as "The Miracle at Michigan.". Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. These individuals are synonymous with these names and will always remember their playing days and the monikers we used to make them legends of the lingo. Bettis is certainly a large man, weighing 252lbs while standing only 5'11" tall. Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. The "Golden Bear" moniker given to the famous golfer was the result of Melbourne Age writer Don Lawrencereferring to the "large, strong, and blond" player as the Golden Bear, and the nickname seemed fitting. Gervin would go on to be a nine-time NBA All-Star and be elected to the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. Johnston was also the first fullback ever elected to the Pro Bowl, a position officially recognized by the NFL because of Johnston's efforts as a blocker and occasional runner. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recognized these qualities and made Johnson head coach of the team in 2004, before Avery moved on to the New Jersey Nets in 2010. Sandy Koufax (Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers) 2. Elway played all sixteen seasons with the Denver Broncos wearing the #7. Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 23 - sportsnet.ca But who makes it into Australia-only top 10? Let's start with the two most simple nicknames: Mike and MJ. Shaun's nickname is born out of obvious connections. Simple, yet accurate, this nickname is solid and turned a superb athlete with a common name into a legend. He is the only player in the history of the league to receive this honor. The World Golf Hall of Fame member is a legend in the game, and his "Golden Bear" moniker has led to many endorsements and products that "bear" his name. Eighty-eight years ago this week, the New York Yankees became the first professional sports team to permanently wear numbers on their uniforms. Tales of numbers on uniforms were common in the late 19th century, but the practice did not receive widespread acceptance until the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees donned them for the 1929 season. 32 and 34 for the first 17 of his 19 NBA seasons, before adopting No. Quite possibly the athlete with the most nicknames in sports history, Shaquille O'Neal seems to be a fan favorite wherever he goes, and his outgoing personality has earned him numerous sponsorships and TV/Film appearances. The school's mascot is the Owl and the obvious lack of a vowel letter in his last name was the second half of a legendary nickname. Just the mere mention of "The Great One" in reference to hockey brings memories of nearly 900 goals and a memorable trade that landed the hockey star in Los Angeles. 99. With a common name like Ed Jones, inserting "Too Tall" seemed like an easy way to separate the man and make him an individual. What athlete is number 23? | Dependable Carlton Fisk earned his nickname with the Boston Red Sox for his physical stature, standing 6'2" tall and weighing 220 pounds. Jeter was named to fourteen All-Star teams and won the World Series five times during his career with the Bronx Bombers. Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. Triskaidekaphobic football fans dreaded the Sundays when Marino and the Miami Dolphins rolled into town, because it usually meant their defense was in for a long day. Jackson was also a prolific hitter, and many historians feel he could have broken several records had he not been banned from baseball after the 1920 season. If pressed to name a national sport, Malaysians would say "badminton.". Fans of this era only know his name as the legend, but quotes from players of his day tell the story of Wagner as a dirty player, often clueing infielders and holding baserunners by the jersey as they attempted to round a base. Dykstra was a three-time All-Star, World Series champion and Silver Slugger Award winner while playing for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The sports television outlet have come up with a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and the amount of intern NBA Countdown: Who wore No. 33 best? - Yahoo! number eight "Pocket Rocket" = Brent Russell, Utility players "Pocket Dynamo" = Gio Aplon, Fullback / Wing " Slaptjips" (Afrikaans for potato chips or french fries) = Pieter Rossouw, Wing "The . Bryant would grow up to be one of the most prominent figures in college sports and one of the most successful coaches in college football history, winning six national titles. 31.April (Latin origin) meaning "open". Dan Marino, practically reversed the belief that 13 is an unlucky number. Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. Johnson can now be considered one of the most successful athletes of all time. Surprisingly, no one calls him "Kazaam," but that could be because they are afraid of being sit on by a 7'1", 325 lb man. Why he's here: When you start to look through MLB records for switch-hitters, you begin to put Beltran's stellar career in perspective. Tiger Woods is a professional golfer and tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds multiple golf records. This May, he earned his second UEFA Champions League title and scored in the Final against Atletico Madrid. When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. Hall of Famers by Jersey Number - Pro Football Hall of Fame The obvious nickname is the third generation of his birth name. Gabby Douglas - Movie, Height & Quotes - Biography 2 - Secretariat. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . 1. "While doing the research on why someone would name their child "Eldrick," it was discovered the nickname "Tiger" was given to him by his father. Gordon earned his nickname when he burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of 21, when he went 17-9 in his first full season in the majors. Smith spent 11 years in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings (19871990),Atlanta Hawks(1990),Houston Rockets(19901996),Detroit Pistons(1996),Orlando Magic(19961997) andDenver Nuggets(1997). A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. Wilkins played 11 seasons of NBA basketball with the Atlanta Hawks and was a nine-time NBA All-Star. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, with 76.27 percent of the vote, just over the necessary 75 percent to qualify. The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that cocaine was used by 3.8 million Americans. The nickname stuck throughout his career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. In modern sports, athletes are valuable assets that are the centerpiece of advertising campaigns and the faces of their organizations. An eight-time Pro Bowl . Floyd's nickname is used to describe the consistent look on his face, and how his complexion reminds on-lookers of someone who looks tired or "sleepy.". The mobile thrower has nearly 30,000 passing and 4,000 rushing yards to his name. Lee Chong Wei. He added an "H" to his name later in his career in homage to his Muslim faith. The #7 shirt at Liverpool has a long and storied history that has seen some of the clubs best players wear the number. The 29 Most Decorated Female U.S. Olympians Of All Time - Team USA Wagner recorded over 3,400 hits in his career with theLouisville Colonels(18971899), andPittsburgh Pirates(19001917), in a time known as the "Dead Ball" era when pitchers reigned supreme. Best player to wear each jersey number in NFL history: Tom Brady leads Before these famous images went viral, Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's "Golden Boy," a heavy-hitter with a squeaky-clean image. He is a two-time NBA MVP and 13-time NBA All-Star selection and is currently ranked second all-time in NBA scoring. Named for his cool demeanor on a basketball court, Gervin played in both the ABA and the NBA, and it has been said at his ABA tryout in Virginia, he made 22-of-25 three-point attempts. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. Indiana Pacers ( 70) Aaron McKie. NBA & ABA Players Who Wore Uniform Number 23 It shows that the number 42 signifies a piece of history in baseball. Top 10 Most Famous Athletes In the World 2022 | Sportshubnet So, Jordan divided it in half and wore #23. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. 23 Other. Brown has inspired generations of running backs to wear #32 in his honor including Marcus Allen and OJ Simpson. 24: Alworth, . Most recently, Suarez brought the shirt some disgrace with his on-field antics, but he also helped Liverpool mount their best title challenge in over a decade. Parish got his nickname from afictitious Chief Bromden, a silent, giantNative Americancharacter in the filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. 5 - Joe DiMaggio. Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. Hopkins is known for 51 wins in 59 fights, which include 32 knockouts and one no contest. As if the Venezuelan pitcher needs any more names,Garcs' tongue-in-cheek nickname is a poke at his stature, and friends and teammates commonly refer to him by his moniker. LISTING OF PRIMARY NUMBERS IN CAPS; Secondary Numbers in lower case. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. He is considered the . BATS THAT THEY HAVE WIELDED E. MAYNE'S PRICELESS COLLECTION The Stradivarius to Kreisler . He stood 6'-and-a-half inches tall and weighed 225 lbs, a very large size in his time. "The Human Highlight Film" has got to be one of the coolest nicknames in sport and it was perfect for Dominique Wilkins. The nickname comes from Wilt's height and slender build and the obvious rhyming of his first name. famous athletes number 23 nicknamemeat carving knife blank. Top 20 Most Incredible Athlete Nicknames - TheSportster Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. The ESPN World Fame 100 is our annual attempt to create a ranking, through statistical analysis, of the 100 most famous athletes on the planet.. We started with Forbes' annual list of the highest . Here are the nicknames of some of the other Olympians. He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. April Holmes has one gold medal and two bronze . Nash led the league in assists five times. Folklore legend has it Hardaway's nickname came as a result of his grandmother's southern accent when calling him "Pretty," thus coming out as "Penny.". 13 Most Popular Number In Sports [2023 Update] - Players Bio The best athlete to wear every number | Yardbarker Deion Sanders dazzled the nation as he high stepped into the end zone after interceptions and punt returns, frustrating football purists and giving birth to the moniker Prime Time. Derek Lowe (Boston Red Sox) 6. The iconic hitter earned the nickname "The Flying Dutchman" in his playing days for his speed and nationality. Kemp retired in 2003 and now the only thing falling from the sky in Kemp's world are illegitimate children, as he has 11 of them from nine different women last time we checked. James has worn different numbers throughout his career but is probably tied together most with the number 23. Allyson Felix, Track and Field: 9 medals (6 G, 3 S) Felix is the only female track and field athlete to ever win six Olympic gold medals and her nine medals are tied for the most ever won by a . What was your favorite jersey number that numerous legends wore? Hall of Fame linebacker got the nickname Mad Stork for his gangly frame (6-7, 220-pounds). Best all-time MLB players at each jersey number, 1-99 We have to say it: "He'll stomp on a child's testicles, but he won't poop on a pigeon.". He played his entire career from 1995-2001 with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Jeter is an iconic figure from a club renowned for outstanding players and has stood out among the games all-time greats. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. Moses Malone . Gabby Douglas, is an American gymnast who became the first African American in Olympic history to win the individual all-around event at the 2012 Summer Games. LeBron James's net worth 2018 is around $485 million. Truly the champion of the nickname, Ruth is also the symbol of achievement in our nation's greatest past-time. [Results] Who is the most famous athlete of all time? He was a two-time MVP, an . For certain teams, some numbers hold a special place in club lore and the hearts of the fans. For most of his career, Jordan sported the #23, except for one season during which he donned #45 after his return from retirement. The multi-sport star was perhaps one of the biggest self-promoters the sports world has ever seen but also a very talented individual. William Perry was a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears from 1985-93, and the team used him on both sides of the ball. Andre Dawson's nickname, "The Hawk," was given to him by an uncle when Andre was very young. PDF Do As I Say, Not as I Do? - KFF When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. Full Site Menu. 4: Brett Favre, QB Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers , New York Jets , Minnesota Vikings Davis would often cry to his coach, begging the man to let him play with his friends and the coach would say, "stop crying, you big baby!" ESPN have announced the top 20 most famous athletes of 2019. Usain Bolt (11%) and Pel (11%) then completed the Top 5. "Real Deal Holyfield" followed Evander throughout his boxing career, as he captured cruiserweight and heavyweight division championships and defeated Mike Tyson twice, losing chunks of both ears the second time around in the famous 1997 bout. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. 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It was Mike Bratz, a point guard who played 15 games in the 1982-83 season). He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. Likewise, his relationship with his father remains strong; therefore when Chipper was progressing through the ranks of baseball, he decided to keep the name. In 1993, Williams started wearing the No. The 10 Most Iconic Jersey Numbers in Sports History The nickname "Charlie Hustle" was given to Rose by Whitey Ford in 1963, who was watching the then-rookie Rose sprint to first base on a walk. Unless he attempts a return to baseball, which isn't likely, he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame following the 2012 season and could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and definitely deserves to be elected. "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". While sporting the #66, he helped the Penguins lift the Stanley Cup twice, won three Hart Trophies, and earned six Art Ross Trophies as the leagues leading scorer. Olajuwon's first name was spelled "Akeem" in his college days at the University of Houston and early into his NBA career. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. Virat Kohli, nicknamed Chikoo, is a famous Indian international cricketer who is the present captain of the India national team.With a top record on his plate, he is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". Magics versatility allowed him to play all five positions on the court, and he earned three MVP Awards in both the regular season and NBA Finals. ", The NBA Hall of Fame member and current TNT studio analyst is also known as"Sir Charles.". Considered one of the best players in professional basketball history, Maravich's life ended and began when he suffered a heart attack while playing a pick-up game in Pasadena, Calif. Maravich was a devout Christian and said shortly before his death he would like to be remembered as a follower of Christ, and not a basketball player. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. World Fame 100: Australia's Top 10 most famous athletes - ESPN.com Jackson hit home runs in Game 4 and Game 5 of the Series. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. 3 Kids seem to believe that stardom carries with it certain "perks," such as that famous athletes get special treatment if they break the law (34%; 39% of teens and 25% of 10-12 year olds) and are Malone was known for his consistency and durability and for teaming up with a sprightly white guy in short shorts all those years as a member of the Utah Jazz. Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. Muhammad Ali. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." Cocaine usage peaked in the United States 1982 with 10.4 million users. The high-flyer ranks 13th in career scoring in the NBA and is mentioned nearly every year during the dunk contest and has been a judge in the competition multiple times. While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. He earned the moniker "The Little General" for his leadership abilities on the court and also his fiery, competitive nature as a player. 25 Best Baseball Nicknames in History - MLB.com DiMaggio was bound to earn a few nicknames in his playing days, and "Joltin' Joe" was just the beginning. The moniker became the genesis of a shoe deal Iverson signed with Reebok and became almost an alter-ego for the prolific scoring guard. The switch worked because Magic and the Showtime Lakers won the NBA Title in 1980 and would go on to win four more before the end of Magics career. Rices legendary hands were developed throughout his childhood, when he worked as a brick mason. The injury was a blessing in disguise, actually giving him an edge on the mound. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. His stellar play as a defensive lineman, along with his faith, helped him earn his nickname as "The Minister of Defense.". However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. Jesse Owens - Movie, Olympics & Quotes - Biography After Milwaukee, Payton played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. McCovey got his nickname from his slender-but-tall build. (Trivia time: Which Buls player wore No. He was also the second most prolific passer in NFL history, with 51,475 career passing yards, despite only leading the NFL in passing yardage once. Aaron's nickname epitomizes his performance at the plate. Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs) 7. Also known as simply "A.I.," Iverson became known as "The Answer" in his first tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers. 6 - Bill Russell, with special mention to Stan "the Man" Musial and Julius Erving, basketball's "Dr. J.". This obvious alias comes from the "Wizard of Oz," and is in combination with Smith's shortened first name, "Oz.". Famous # 32's | More Sports - TigerDroppings The long red locks flowing from his helmet while he seems impenetrable by gravity seems to make this nickname non-inventive, but still a perfect fit. Birth date: September 12, 1913. 13, is right above him at the No. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. All Players To Wear Number 23 | Pro-Football-Reference.com The tall glass of water got his famous alias from multiple sources: According to Paige, his nickname originated from childhood work toting bags at the train station. The 10 Most Famous Malaysian Athletes - Culture Trip 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 22 - Sportsnet.ca The former Super Bowl champion New York Giant gained the nickname due to his large stature and semi-rare left-handedness. He has been inducted into the Pro and College Football Hall of Fames as well as the Atlanta Falcons ring of honor. There's no inventive story here: "Dr. J" was given to Julius Erving by a high school friend, who watched him play and likened his smoothness with the ball and ability to score like the precision of a doctor performing surgery. The longtime Dallas Cowboy was caught with nearly 400 pounds of marijuana combined in two separate incidents. Grange got his nickname from Chicago American writer Warren Brown, who dubbed the pasty white-skinned red head "The Galloping Ghost," citing his running style at the University of Illinois. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s, before he was dealt in a blockbuster deal to the Los Angeles Kings. Also called "Golden Joe"and "Comeback Joe," Joe Montana earned his nickname for his ability to stay calm under pressure and come through in the clutch with key passes and throwing accuracy. Jerry Rice is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. The big man spent his best NBA days with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle SuperSonics, but he was also on the 1985 NBA All-Rookie First Team roster with the Dallas Mavericks. Ranker Sports. It's one of the more unique and popular nicknames of the modern era.". David Ortiz has his regular season heroics, but Jeter owns October. Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season.