Fansided

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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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 18: Head Coach Bum Phillips of the New Orleans Saints shakes the hand of a Cleveland Browns player at the end of an NFL football game on October 18, 1981 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Phillips was the head coach of the Saints from 1981-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 18: Head Coach Bum Phillips of the New Orleans Saints shakes the hand of a Cleveland Browns player at the end of an NFL football game on October 18, 1981 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Phillips was the head coach of the Saints from 1981-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

22. Oail Andrew “Bum” Phillips

You may not have been sure what Bum Phillips’ real name was, but it’s safe to assume that “Oail Andrew” wasn’t at the top of the list of guesses. Oail Andrew, that deserves a spot on the list in its own right.

Bum Phillips is one of the most recognizable coaches, not just in NFL history, but in the history of sports. From 1975-80, he was the face of the Houston Oilers, and helped lead the team to its greatest stretch to date. Houston went 10-4 in their first season under Phillips. The 1976 season would be their only losing season with Bum at the helm as they went 5-9. From 1978-80, the Oilers went 10-6, 11-5, and 11-5, respectively.

Houston came within a game of the Super Bowl in the 1979 season when one of the most controversial calls took place. Mike Renfrow seemed to have caught a touchdown in the back right corner of the end zone, but it was ruled incomplete. Replay had not been introduced yet, and many blamed the call on the Oilers missing out on the Super Bowl.

Phillips went on to coach the Saints from 1981-85, but never found the success he did in Houston.

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