The NFL is filled with iconic figures, larger-than-life personalities, and… some downright strange nicknames. Whether we understand them or not, from barnyard animals to odd food references, these nicknames have lived on in football lore.
Some came from childhood, others from college antics, and a few make you scratch your head and ask, “Why?” Let’s dive into the weirdest nicknames the league has ever seen, ranked from “kinda odd” to “how did this stick?”
20. “Cadillac” (Carnell Williams)
No, he wasn’t sponsored by General Motors. The nickname came from his high school coach, who thought he ran as smoothly as a Cadillac—still a pretty bizarre comparison for a teenager.
19. “The Amish Rifle” (Ryan Fitzpatrick)
Fitzmagic’s glorious beard earned him this odd mashup of rural aesthetics and quarterback play. Nothing about it makes total sense, which is what makes it perfect.
18. “Pocket Hercules” (Maurice Jones-Drew)
Combining mythical strength and short stature, this one sounds like a cartoon superhero. But MJD did truck defenders twice his size, so maybe it fits.
17. “YAC King” (Deebo Samuel)
It’s technically a football term, but it sounds like a knock-off fast food burger. Still, Deebo earns it every time he turns a screen pass into a demolition derby.
16. “The Mad Stork” (Ted Hendricks)
Long, lanky, and chaotic on the field, Hendricks lived up to the nickname, even if it sounds like a rejected Looney Tunes character. You couldn’t miss him, partly because he looked like a bird in cleats.
15. “Beastquake” (Marshawn Lynch)
This one came from an actual earthquake during a Lynch touchdown run. It sounds more like a SyFy Channel movie than a football moment, but it’s now NFL canon.
14. “The Nigerian Nightmare” (Christian Okoye)
This nickname is cool, intense, and slightly terrifying. It also sounds like a horror movie set on a football field.
13. “Purple People Eaters” (1970s Vikings Defense)
A group of grown men willingly went by a name that implies cannibalistic cartoon monsters. And the wildest part? It caught on.
12. “The Sheriff” (Peyton Manning)
Peyton never wore a cowboy hat or policed anything, but the nickname stuck thanks to his command of the offense. Weird flex, but OK.
11. “The Muscle Hamster” (Doug Martin)
Maybe the most unfortunate nickname of all time. Martin hated it, but there’s no turning back once the internet grabs hold.
10. “The Law Firm” (BenJarvus Green-Ellis)
It was not a nickname based on behavior but just how his name sounded. He never passed the bar, but he did pass defenders.
9. “Honey Badger” (Tyrann Mathieu)
Borrowed from a viral YouTube video, this nickname gave Mathieu instant pop culture status. Still strange to associate a fierce NFL safety with a small, furry mammal.
8. “Joe Cool” (Joe Montana)
It’s meant as a compliment, but also sounds like a 1950s greaser with a leather jacket and a jukebox addiction. Somehow, it fit the NFL’s chillest legend.
7. “The Refrigerator” (William Perry)
Big, immovable, and cold-blooded at the goal line—sure. But calling a human man a kitchen appliance will always be a choice.
6. “Ickey” (Elbert Woods)
This was his grandmother’s nickname for him, which makes it sweet. But “Ickey” also sounds like something you’d name a cartoon germ.
5. “The Deacon” (Deacon Jones)
Deacon wasn’t his name or his job. He thought it sounded cool and religious enough to give him an edge.
4. “The Bus” (Jerome Bettis)
Bettis earned the name for carrying defenders like passengers, but let’s not forget—he was compared to public transportation. And he made it cool.
3. “Boomer” (Boomer Esiason)
Imagine being born with the name Norman and just being called Boomer forever. Sounds more like a Labrador than a quarterback.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Intimidating Nicknames in NFL History
2. “Chad Ochocinco” (Chad Johnson)
He legally changed his name to a fake Spanish name. Commitment to the bit? Yes. Still weird? Absolutely.
Read More: 15 Athletes Whose Nicknames Were Better Than Their Careers
1. “He Hate Me” (Rod Smart)
This nickname didn’t come from the NFL but followed the XFL. It’s confusing, confrontational, and iconic all at once—just weird enough to top the list.
Read More: 15 Nicknames That Sound Like Cartoon Characters, Not NFL Players
