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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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions runs for a short gain during the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Ford Field on December 16, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. The Ravens defeated the Lions 18-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions runs for a short gain during the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Ford Field on December 16, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. The Ravens defeated the Lions 18-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

9. “Megatron” Calvin Johnson

How good was Calvin Johnson? When you say his nickname, you think of the Detroit Lions legend before you think of the character he is named after.

For the better part of a decade, Johnson tormented NFL secondaries in the same way that the evil decepticon leader tormented the autobots. Megatron was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by Detroit. He established himself as one of the best receivers in college football history before doing the same in the NFL.

He led the NFL in touchdown receptions in his second season in 2008. That was the same year that the Lions went 0-16- sorry Megatron, you deserved so much better. From 2010-15, Johnson went on one of the best five year stretches for a receiver in history. He was a Pro Bowler for the first time in 2010, and then was named to three straight All-Pro teams from 2011-13. In 2011 and ‘12, he led the league in receiving yards. His 2012 season is one of the greatest years for any player in NFL history. Johnson led the NFL with 122 catches and set the single-season receiving yards record with 1,964.

Johnson abruptly retired after the 2015 season, but was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

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