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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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dante Hall returns a kick. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 23 to 20 at Cardinals Stadium, Glendale, AZ, October 8, 2006. (Photo by Rich Gabrielson/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dante Hall returns a kick. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 23 to 20 at Cardinals Stadium, Glendale, AZ, October 8, 2006. (Photo by Rich Gabrielson/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

24. “The Human Joystick” Dante Hall

Death, taxes, and Dante Hall juking guys out of their cleats before returning a kick for a touchdown. Dante Hall was like the appetizer for Devin Hester. He was one of the most exciting players of the early 2000s and was used primarily as a punt and kick returner. He didn’t score at the volume that Hester did, but he certainly was more flashy with the ball in his hands then Hester- hence, the nickname of “The Human Joystick.”

Hall’s best span came with the Chiefs from 2002-06. In the 2002 season, he returned two punts for touchdowns and one kick for a touchdown, which led to him being named a Pro Bowler. The following year, Hall once again led the NFL in punt return touchdowns with two, and he also returned two kicks for touchdowns, which also led the league. He was a Pro Bowler for the second consecutive season, and was named All-Pro.

Hall stayed in Missouri late in his career, going from Kansas City to St. Louis in 2007. He had his final career special teams touchdown in 2007 on a punt return while with the Rams. Hall was electric with the ball in his hands. Even if he didn’t score, opponents were about to look silly as he ran circles around them.

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