Tag: Nickname

Brian Baldinger gives Chiefs rookie Jaden Hicks a new nickname

NFL analyst Brian Baldinger gave #Chiefs rookie Jaden Hicks a new nickname in one of his signature film breakdowns.

The Kansas City Chiefs may have finished their preseason schedule without earning a win, but the defending champions have their sights set on more than meaningless victories in exhibition games.

Though the Chiefs lost to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger saw enough progress from one of Kansas City’s rookies to coin a new nickname for him ahead of Kansas City’s regular season kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

Jaden Hicks, a fourth-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft, was dubbed ‘Jaden Licks’ by Baldinger in a post on Twitter after his hard-hitting performance against the Bears:

Hicks will face an uphill battle to earn playing time against the Ravens in Week 1 but did more than enough in the preseason to put himself on the radars of the Chiefs’ coaches and fans this season.

Expect to see Hicks fight for a chance to see the field over the course of Kansas City’s 2024 campaign.

Kool-Aid McKinstry shares the story of his ‘sweet’ nickname

New Orleans Saints rookie draft pick Kool-Aid McKinstry shared the story of his ‘sweet’ nickname:

He was born Ga’Quincy McKinstry, but the New Orleans Saints’ second round draft pick has always gone by “Kool-Aid.” He put it down as his name on Alabama’s football roster, and that’s what Taysom Hill read out from the  podium at the 2024 NFL draft.

So how did McKinstry pick it up? He shared the story on ESPN’s broadcast of the draft: “Yes, I definitely embrace my name Kool-Aid. I got the name Kool-Aid from my grandma the day I was born. She said I came out smiling and she said I had a ‘Kool-Aid smile.’”

McKistry’s grandmother Brenda Allen explained it herself to the Tuscaloosa News’ Nick Kelly in 2023, recalling how he was the happiest baby she’d ever seen. No tears, no crying, no wailing or complaining. Just smiles, sweet like a glass of Kool-Aid.

“I told his mom,” Allen recalled. “Look at this boy with this big Kool-Aid smile on his face.”

The name stuck. He  went on to make a name for himself with his efforts on the football field, winning recognition as the USA Today High School Sports Male Athlete of the Year in 2021. He earned a scholarship to Alabama and later cashed in with a lucrative Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Kool-Aid. Now he’s been drafted by the Saints. We’re guessing there are more Kool-Aid smiles in his future.

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Washington pokes fun at ‘Wolverine State’ before big game

In a not-so-subtle tweet, it was pointed out that Michigan does not have wolverines living in the wild.

Hours before Monday’s CFP National Championship game between the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines, some trash talking focused on nicknames.

“Good morning from the only state playing football today that actually has wolverines,” the Washington State Department of Natural Resources ribbed on X.

Despite the University of Michigan’s nickname, the state does not have an established wolverine population. The last known sighting of a wild wolverine in Michigan occurred in 2004. (Origins of Michigan being labeled the Wolverine State date to the 1800s.)

In Washington State, however, wolverines exist throughout the Cascades and in northeastern Washington, although sightings are rare. (Wolverines are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.)

Aside from being elusive, wolverines are mighty critters known to prey on full-grown deer and chase bears and wolves from their territories.

They are the largest terrestrial members of the weasel family, growing to about 40 pounds. Their nicknames include Skunk Bear, Mountain Devil, and Evil Spirit.

The Washington State DNR’s lighthearted insult received the following response from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

“What’s more REMOTE, the places wolverines live in Washington State or the Huskies’ chances of winning the football game?”

Washington to unveil new team name February 2

The date has arrived for Washington to unveil its new team name.

The time is finally here. After going over 18 months without a team nickname, the Washington Football Team has established Feb. 2 as the franchise’s date to unveil its new name.

Washington’s official Twitter account released the following video Tuesday morning, featuring legendary coach Joe Gibbs and former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams. Also featured in the video is general manager Martin Mayhew.

Williams and Mayhew both played in Washington. Williams worked in the front office for several years and is now a senior adviser for the franchise.

While we can surmise what we think the new name will be, we know a pair of popular names are already eliminated.

Back in the summer, team president Jason Wright said “Warriors” would not be the new name. In his “President’s Brief” on Washington’s website, Wright said “Wolves” and “Redwolves” are also eliminated as possible names.

Wright gave the following reasoning:

Early on we understood Wolves — or some variation of it — was one of our fan favorites. As I’ve said all along, we take feedback from our fans seriously, and because of your interest in this name, we put Wolves on a list of options to explore fully. Once we began looking into Wolves, however, we became aware of a notable challenge: trademarks held by other teams would limit our ability to make the name our own. And without Wolves, variations like RedWolves wouldn’t have been viable either for these and other reasons.

That’s indeed interesting. You are eliminating team names because you are worried about potential legal ramifications? Washington has had 18 months to get this right. And, regardless of the choice, it’s not going to bring the fan base together but only continue to divide it.

 

 

One of Minnesota’s primary running backs is nicknamed “Bucky”

One of Minnesota’s primary running backs is nicknamed “Bucky”

The week of preparation leading into the battle between Wisconsin and Minnesota for Paul Bunyan’s Axe always has its fair share of shots from either side.

Wisconsin players say they don’t like Minnesota, Minnesota players say they don’t like Wisconsin and the cycle continues. Then, of course, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst does the usual “I appreciate the opportunity to play a well-coached football team with good players.”

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 12 — Wisconsin gets one step closer

There is one wrinkle to the matchup this year to note. While watching film of Minnesota’s loss to Iowa a few weeks ago I kept hearing the announcers say “Bucky.”

Why was that? Well, it’s the nickname of Mar’Keise Irving, one of Minnesota’s primary running backs.

Or, it was. Fleck said back in September Irving’s Minnesota teammates changed the nickname due to their hatred for the Wisconsin program and mascot.

Irving has rushed for 531 yards and 4 touchdowns on 102 carries this season after climbing the depth chart due to cluster injuries at the position. The former four-star recruit figures to pair up with Ky Thomas to lead Minnesota’s rushing attack Saturday against Wisconsin.

Regardless of how he plays, I cannot remember a time in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe when one of the players went by the name of the opposing team’s mascot.

Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion and analysis.

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Notre Dame long-snapper announces new NIL deal

What is your go-to milk choice?

There have been so many players across the college sports landscape that have gotten deals from different businesses to endorse products and make some money this season.  It’s long overdue and while some are especially cashing in, it’s hard for me to believe many are making life changing money.

Although during my college years I would have considered even an extra 25 bucks a week to be life changing.

Notre Dame long snapper Michael Vinson is the latest Fighting Irish football player to announce an endorsement as he did so with American Dairy Association Indiana on Friday.  It’s a match made in heaven for a player that goes by the nickname “Milk“.

Vinson shared the following tweet to make the announcement:

Congratulations on the deal and I hope they supply your living quarters with all of the milk it can possibly drink.

Next time though it might be a good idea to throw a pair of shoes on before posing for the picture!

Related:

Notre Dame-Virginia: Staff Predictions

Detailing Notre Dame’s map to a CFP appearance

ESPN FPI projects Notre Dame’s final three games of 2021

Notre Dame-Virginia: Seven prop bets for Saturday night

Notre Dame’s strength of wins among very best in nation

Trevor Siemian credits former Saints WR Bennie Fowler for ‘T-Money Sizzle’ nickname

Trevor Siemian credits former Saints WR Bennie Fowler for ‘T-Money Sizzle’ nickname

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Hey, there’s a name we didn’t expect to come up again: Bennie Fowler. The veteran wide receiver spent the 2020 season with the New Orleans Saints after he caught Drew Brees’ eye in an offseason workout with Emmanuel Sanders, but before that he and Sanders were teammates with Trevor Siemian on the Denver Broncos.

And now Siemian is quarterbacking the team Fowler last played before. Fans with a discerning eye will notice Siemian has a unique nickname listed on Pro Football Reference — “T-Money Sizzle,” which Siemian said Friday can be credited to Fowler.

“It was ‘T-Money Wiggle’ originally,” Siemian calmly explained when asked by the Advocate | Times-Picayune’s Amie Just. “It was Bennie Fowler (that christened it). He blessed me with that nickname in Denver.”

Siemian, 29, went 13-11 as a starter for the Broncos and was dinged for a loss with the New York Jets in which he exited with an ankle injury after just six pass attempts. He did enough to help the Saints knock off the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers after filling in for an injured Jameis Winston, and now he’s had a full week to prepare to start again.

Siemian added wryly: “I don’t think it stuck really well. I guess it’s better than trying to hear people mispronounce my last name.”

Still, don’t expect to hear many chants on Sunday calling for “T-Money Sizzle” or “T-Money Wiggle.” The preference for fans on social media appears to be “T-Dot” (as in, the T. Siemian you’ll find on the Saints’ box score), though I’m partial to “Touchdown Trevor” if we have to use a nickname at all. Hopefully his level of play isn’t the biggest takeaway from this game, because it would suggest some unfortunate things about the rest of the team.

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7 current and former Washington stars make Top-101 list of greatest NFL nicknames ever

Which seven former — and current — Washington stars made the top-101 nicknames?

When you think of nicknames, specifically NFL nicknames, what is the first one that comes to mind?

Names such as “Sweetness,” “Juice,” “Megatron,” and “Broadway Joe” are just some of the names that first come to mind. Hardcore NFL fans need no more information as they know who those players are just by the nickname.

Touchdown Wire recently put out a list of the top 101 nicknames in NFL history. It is a fun list. Players such as Brett Favre, Calvin Johnson, and, of course, Walter Payton are on the list. Others, such as Ickey Woods, are more popular for their name than their game.

How many former — and current — Washington stars made this unique list?

Seven current and former members of the Washington Football Team made Touchdown Wire’s list of the top nicknames.

Here are all seven of those players — and coach — with Touchdown Wire’s thoughts on each.