The Three Best NFL Nicknames from the Backfield
These guys made a name for themselves. A hilarious one.
These guys made a name for themselves. A hilarious one.
Today, the Jets cut John “The Terminator” Conner from their roster. The team cited injury problems and even alluded to having him return at some point (cue obligatory “I’ll be back” joke here), but we immediately saw through that rouse. Conner was obviously cut due to his weak nickname. In the movies, John Connor (note the spelling difference) wasn’t the Terminator and – knowing Rex Ryan’s penchant for movie authenticity – that definitely wasn’t going to fly. Maybe if he went by John “leader of the human resistance against Skynet” Conner, he might still be playing today. To help inspire John, here are three of the best nicknames to ever grace an NFL backfield.
Ryan “Amish Rocket” Fitzgerald
(Photo: Jim Rogash / Getty Images | Licensed to Alpha Media Group 2012)
In the 2010 season, Fitzy’s beard was just about the only impressive thing on the field, as the team crawled to an 0-8 start. The fans, likely bored out of their minds, started to refer to the QB as the “Amish Rocket,” and then as a group, presumably laughed. Maniacally. And then cried.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis – “The Law Firm”
(Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty Images | Licensed to Alpha Media Group 2012)
Green-Ellis, who recently moved to the Bengals, started to regularly carry the ball in 2008 but didn’t give up a fumble until this season. He also made an all-SEC team and was a Big Ten All-Freshman; however, the biggest talking point about him is still his nickname, “The Law Firm,” which refers to the collection of names that he’s cobbled together. Also, his uncle is Birdman, the co-founder of Cash Money Records, so as you can see, great nicknames run in the family.
Jared “Pillsbury Throwboy” “J-Load” “Hefty Lefty” Lorenzen
(Photo: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images | Licensed to Alpha Media Group 2012)
Lorenzen may very well be the most successful quarterback that you’ve never heard of. The large quarterback sat his way to a championship ring (and a bunch of wonderful nicknames referencing his size) behind Eli Manning in 2007. He then made a move to the “Ultimate Indoor Football League” where he turned in an MVP season. Lorenzen then decided to hang it up and try his hand at the executive office; he was hired as the GM of his former indoor team (and nominee for best team name in history) the Northern Kentucky River Monsters. He was so successful in his role that he was made commissioner of the entire league the very next season. Wow, maybe bigger is better.
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