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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Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams makes runs upfield in a 1950 game played at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams makes runs upfield in a 1950 game played at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

8. Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch

Let’s take another trip to the 1940s, where nicknames were more creative and actually meant something. They were also hilarious, in a sense. You can almost hear a fast-speaking radio host speaking into a microphone saying “And here come the Los Angeles Rams, led by Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch.”

Hirsch was one of the best players of the late 1940s and 1950s. He was originally a running back for the Chicago Rockets in 1946. In 1951 with the Rams, he caught 66 passes for just under 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. Those types of numbers would be Pro Bowl worthy in 2021- they were God-like 70 years ago in 1951. Hirsch was an All-Pro that season and won the receiving triple crown, leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Hirsch was an All-Pro once again in 1953. He caught 61 passes for 941 yards and four touchdowns. He was one of the first great players in the history of the Los Angeles Rams organization. He is a member of the All-Decade team of the 1950s, was named to three Pro Bowls on top of his two All-Pro Selections, and was a member of an NFL Championship winning team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

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