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30 best nicknames in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 28: Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7.(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 28: Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7.(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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The 1953 Los Angeles Rams African-American players defensive back/offensive end Dick ” Night Train ” Lane, ” fullback Deacon ” Dan Towler, fullback Paul ” Tank ” Younger, halfback Woodley Lewis, and guard Hank Thompson. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images)
The 1953 Los Angeles Rams African-American players defensive back/offensive end Dick ” Night Train ” Lane, ” fullback Deacon ” Dan Towler, fullback Paul ” Tank ” Younger, halfback Woodley Lewis, and guard Hank Thompson. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) /

Of all the nicknames in NFL history, both great and lazy alike, these are the 30 best monikers that player’s have earned throughout time.

Nicknames, for the most part, have gotten bad and lazy as time has gone on. In an era where most nicknames are just player’s initials, let’s look at the best, and most iconic, nicknames throughout NFL history.

What are the best nicknames in NFL history?

1. Dick “Night Train” Lane

There may not be a more fitting nickname for any player in sports history than “Night Train.”

Dick Lane was one of the hardest hitting players of his era, and one of the most purely violent players of all time. The way in which he brought down defenders more often than not was by simply using one arm and trying to take their heads off, for lack of a better term.

Lane would do what looked like a clothesline-headlock combination as he brought ball carriers to the ground. It wasn’t just violence that made Lane great, though. As a rookie with the Rams in 1952, Lane led the NFL with 14 interceptions, a single-season record that stands to this day. What’s even more impressive is that he did it in a 12 game season.

Two years later in 1954, Lane led the NFL in interceptions again with 10 as a member of the Chicago Cardinals. He is one of the best lockdown defenders of all time, and one of the hardest hitters of all time. He is a member of the 1950s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

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