Best nicknames in University of Michigan sports history
Inspired by this thread. So what do you think are the best nicknames in U-M sports history? What are some of the ones you grew up with? What were the worst/lamest? Any and all sports, of course.
Obviously, we have nicknames like Shoelace (awesome), Tractor (RIP), and the Butterfly (ugh). Graham Brown was known as Moose. I remember whenever Jerod Ward scored, they'd put up the "Hot Rod" graphic in Crisler.
This is also an education in Michigan sports history for me, as I was pretty much clueless about it until I started attending U-M in the mid-90s. Before that, I was all about the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta pro sports, having been born and raised in the ATL.
Still my personal favorite. Might as well mention A-Tank Aaron Shea as well.
Apparently DickRod is still pretty popular, but I can't say that I'm a fan of it.
At least it's not popular around here. That other loser tried to "trademark" Cowhoke (the fuck?) and thankfully that got him banned. I hate nicknames like that.
Other nicknames for richrod include RichFraud, and B***chRod.
I'm personally a fan of Steven "God dammit!" Threet.
Touchdown Tim.
just to post that. So I'll expand on it. Glenn Edward "George Patton" Schembechler.
There you go. No one was more electrifying that AC (with the possible exception of Denard). I am especially fond of Anthony Carter because he was there my four undergrad years. His 90+ yard punt return against Northwestern in the first game of the year had us all wondering "who is this guy?"
Didn't Ufer call AC "The Human Torpedo" during the Wangler to Carter touchdown to beat Indiana? I've always liked that one.
Also called 'the Darter' by Ufer.
Could be. That sounds a little familiar (and I can imagine Ufer coming up with it). I'd have to listen to that call again. I didn't hear the call live however; I was in the Stadium. Absolute bedlam.
Referred to AC as "Pelican Legs" or sometimes "Ol' Pelican Legs." And of course, Bo "George Patton" Schembechler . . . . (honk).
Bob was totally beside himself that day. He also came up with "King Carter" and said "he took off like a penguin with hot herring in his cumberbun". Best of all was his thought regarding M not attempting the extra point: "Who cares? Who gives a damn?" Not what you usually expected in a college broadcast at that time, but, well, who gave a damn?
Don't know if it's a nickname, but I always liked yelling out "SIR CHARLES" during Woodson's days at Michigan, always seemed fitting of someone who was a cut above the rest.
This is definitely Charles Barkley's nickname
Shoelace and A-Train are probably my favorites along with Incredible Hulk for Mike Martin. Hoke-A-Mania is a good one as well.
Graham Brown's real nickname (used by teammates/friends) was "Hambone." For some reason, the Maize Rage ignored it and stuck the less-original "Moose" on him (which he didn't like).
Others:
Antoine "the Judge" Joubert
Rumeal "Meal Time" Robinson
And of course, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch.
Crazylegs is an awesome old time nickname.
Joubert had the best nickname in modern times, but as you pointed out, it's hard to beat Crazy Legs Hirsch, or Germany Schulz.
Agree. It's so damn dignified. But scary.
Who is the Butterfly? I have never heard this as a nickname for any athlete.
Big Ten Network invented nickname for Darius Morris.
I just came up with that. I think it will stick because Denard Robinson, our current quarterback, actually does not tie his shoe laces. Instead, he uses velcro, and I though that Denard "Velcro" Robinson didn't sound that cool.
What do you guys think?
EDIT: I just read the entire OP...guh
Fuck Lion
It's not quite a Fuck Lion, but it's solid. Baseball always has some good ones, including:
Wade "Lollypop" Killefer
Vernon "Slicker" Parks
Charlie "The Mechanical Man" Gehrigner
Dave "Soup" Campbell
Also, Erik "Soup" Campbell.
Corwin "Corn Flakes" Brown was my favorite Michigan nickname.
Mike "The Hulk" Martin
but here are a few ottomh:
The Guts and Glue of the Maize and Blue - Rick Leach
The Whirling Divirsh - Gordie Bell
Bo - Glenn E. Schembechler
AC - Carter
Dennis the Menace - Dennis Franklin
The Judge - Antoine Joubert
Captain Comeback - Jim Harbaugh - I think this name comes more from his NFL days than his Michigan career.
Fritz Crisler - Herbert O. Crisler
Hurryup - Fielding H Yost
Thanks for these. I knew that I was forgetting some Uferisms that had to be the best nicknames. I always loved "The Guts and Glue of the Maize and Blue" for Rick Leach. Hurryup Yost is, of course, classic.
We could also add to that the nickname for Yost's first couple of teams: The Point-a-Minute Teams.
I do think that "Bo" has to be number 1 on this list.
Bo will always be a "10".
Don't forget the Blonde Bomber from Fremont Ohio Rob Lytle.
"The General" Gary Grant, he's a PTP a prime time performer
Both great individually, but when you consider that Joubert and Grant played together as "The Judge" and "The General" in the same backcourt... that's class.
That is a backcourt that is commanding and strong. Damn.
Elliott
Jumbo Elliot
B1G Ed Muransky
Jesse "the House Cat" Johnson
"Steady" Eddie Davis
Desmond "Magic Man" Howard
Craig "Death" Roh
"Old 98"
"President" Gerald R. Ford
...missed this, but team nickname-wise, the 1947 team's sobriquet "The Mad Magicians" has to be mentioned.
Coach-wise, don't forget Chalmers "Bump" Elliot.
"McCartney's Monsters" for late 70's defense
"Herrmann's Hermits" never caught on
But if we're going teams, how can we fifer the "Point-a-Minute" teams?
Ah yes, "House Cat" was one of the classics. Completely random for a football player, but that made it cool.
I thought for sure I would get the House Cat out first, good job guys. Apparently Jesse got that nickname for his less then stellar work ethic, at least that is my memory...
Also wasnt Greg Skrepenak 'The Barge'
Aug
I want an All-American DT that dominates the interior line. I think he should be called "The Dreadnought", for a couple of reasons. He would have a big set of guns and fear no one. Extra bonus if he actually had Dreadlocks.
...Richard Ash!