Best NFL Nicknames, Famous NFL nicknames. Deion Sanders is known as 'Prime Time,' but which player is known as 'Beast Mode'?

What did you just call me? What did you just call me? This nickname is a pretty good one for Randy Moss given the way he elevated the offenses of his teams. This is a list of some other NFL nicknames that are truly fitting and very entertaining...
Sammy Baugh No secret here . Sammy Baugh quarterbacked the Washington Redskins and became one of the legendary quarterbacks in football. In his career, Baugh racked up over 21,000 passing yards. He threw it in an era dominated by tough, hardcore running backs. That passing tendency earned him the nickname
Elroy Hirsch Elroy Hirsch was a running back in the NFL in the 40s and 50s. His style of running hadn't been seen before by many fans and earned him his nickname. What was it, again?
Joe Greene Which came first, the player or the nickname? As a part of the infamous "Steel Curtain" while with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one might assume that Joe Greene got his nickname while a part of the hard-nosed Steeler defense. Although fitting, that's not where the nickname comes from. Greene actually wound up living up to his nickname seeing as it came from the nickname of his college football team. What was his nickname?
Red Grange Harold Grange, commonly known as "Red", was an oddity in the 1920's NFL. He possessed speed and maneuverability that was not the norm for the league in those days. Taking that into consideration, his nickname seems highly appropriate
Gale Sayers Gale Sayers played college football at Kansas and that had a lot to do with how he wound up with his nickname. Sayers broke records at Kansas with touchdown runs and gaining yards at an astounding rate. Sayers seems to be shooting up the ladder of NCAA running backs. Enough hints.
Paul Hornung Paul Hornung was given his nickname for reasons besides his looks. Although the name might seem obvious given his appearance.there's a second reason for the moniker. Hornung was an essential figure and face of the Green Bay Packers when he played for them.
Raghib Ismail No need to mince words when it comes to Raghib Ismail. The dude was fast. So fast in fact, his nickname seems obvious to those who have seen him play.
Craig Heyward Words like "big," "tough," "gritty" and "eager to mix it up" come to mind after hearing Craig Heyward's nickname All of those descriptions apply. And the nickname is pretty intimidating even before Heyward's massive brawn is brought into question.
Christian Okoye Christian Okoye was born in Nigeria, which accounts for the first part of his nickname. The second part? It becomes clear after hearing about Okoye's brutal running style and difficulty to tackle. As an NFL defender, what comes to mind when thinking about facing a guy like that? Probably something like his nickname.
Michael Irvin More than 11,900 yards receiving, 750 receptions, 65 touchdowns, retired Dallas Cowboys player Michael Irvin's stats speak for themselves. All the man did was make plays. That's why they call him this nickname.
Marshawn Lynch Anyone who saw Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch's run against the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFL playoffs will not question his nickname. The name describes Lynch's running style to a tee. If he gets going, best to step out of the way because he'll bowl over most anything in his path.
Flozell Adams Flozell Adams' nickname is a product of his considerable size and an easy rhyme. Nobody has ever accused the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle of being a small guy. In fact, at his position, size is quite an asset. But Flozell rhymes with the nickname and there you have a ready-made nickname.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis "Did you see that run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis? Hope BenJarvus Green-Ellis breaks a tackle on this run." Green-Ellis' given name is a bit of a mouthful. The hyphenated last name reminds many fans of a convoluted law partnership. That might be one reason many football fans avoid getting tongue-tied with all the syllables and simply refer to this New England Patriots running back by his nickname
Darrelle Revis Darrelle Revis is known as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, bar none. The New York Jets player earned his nickname by locking down receivers — making them feel isolated. Almost as if they were on an "island." Hence the nickname.
Maurice Jones-Drew Maurice Jones-Drew's nickname turns out to be a pretty accurate descriptor. Like the Greek demigod he's named after, he's got muscles that give him major strength and power. His smaller stature actually works to his advantage in the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield. Find out his nickname.
Joe Namath Joe Namath famously guaranteed a New York Jets victory in Super Bowl III. The Jets went on to win that Super Bowl and Namath spent all but one of his NFL seasons as QB for the Jets. It is this streak, playing in the city with the bright lights of Broadway, that led to his nickname
Ben Roethlisberger At 6'-5" and 241 lbs., Ben Roethlisberger has always been on the larger end of the quarterback spectrum. Standing tall behind the line of his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates, Roethlisberger definitely seems as massive as his nickname implies
Jevon Kearse Jevon Kearse began his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans in 1999, and that same year Kearse won AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. An 86-inch wingspan and extraordinary speed earned Kearse his nickname
William Perry William Perry got his nickname for one reason ... his size. Perry primarily played defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears and was listed at 6'2" and 335 lbs. Perry won a Super Bowl with the '85 Bears and as a testament to his size, Perry required a size--25 ring
Deion Sanders Deion Sanders began and ended his 14-year NFL career as a cornerback. However, due to his versatility, Sanders started at wide receiver for five games during the 1996 season. Sanders was both controversial and electrifying ... willing to do what it took to captivate fans and remain in the spotlight. Whether that meant high-stepping into the end zone for a touchdown or flashing smiles to the media, Sanders embodied his nickname
Adrian Peterson Adrian Peterson has a signature upright running style that is rare when combined with his power and agility. Peterson burst onto the NFL scene in 2007, racking up over 1,300 yards in his rookie season, earning him this moniker.
Walter Payton Walter Payton is widely considered one of the greatest NFL running backs of all time. His 16,726 career rushing yards are second most in NFL history. His durability was unquestioned - Payton only missed one NFL game in his 13 seasons. While his nickname could accurately describe his amazing stats, it does not describe Payton's on-field demeanor. Never one to shy away from contact, Payton wasn't afraid to take a hit or dish one out
erome Bettis Jerome Bettis was widely considered one of the NFL's best running backs before his retirement in 2006. His footwork allowed for remarkable agility for a running back his size. It was his power, however, that paved the way for his nickname. It was an accurate descriptor of Bettis' ability to run over opponents
Terry Bradshaw Terry Bradshaw played for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their dominant run in the 1970s. Bradshaw had a knack for stepping up when it mattered most. Three of his best passing performances came in Super Bowls. His blond locks and powerful arm combined to give him his nickname
oe Montana Joe Montana put together a Hall of Fame career in his 16 years in the NFL. Montana won all four Super Bowls he played in and was elected to the Pro Bowl eight times, but his specialty was comeback wins. Montana engineered 31 come-from-behind fourth- quarter wins over the course of his career. Montana's knack for remaining calm under pressure inspired his nickname
O.J. Simpson O.J. Simpson became the first running back in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in 1973 while he played for the Buffalo Bills. Simpson was elected to the football Hall of Fame in 1985, but his nickname is derived from his unique initials
Matt Ryan Matt Ryan has been the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons since they drafted him in 2008. Ryan's nickname started before his professional football career. In his senior year at Boston College, Ryan launched a website and the nickname stuck
Calvin Johnson Calvin Johnson is a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. Johnson possesses a number of physical skills, the combination of which give him the ability to switch up on defenders like an Autobot - hence the nickname
Brett Favre Brett Favre's NFL journey is well documented so his nickname should come as no surprise. Favre has never been afraid to let the ball fly and demonstrate his passion for the game. Favre's aggressiveness and determination gave him the persona of a Wild West cowboy
Dante Hall Dante Hall spent the majority of his NFL career as a punt-return specialist. Hall spent nine seasons lighting up the special teams units for the Kansas City Chiefs and later the St. Louis Rams. Hall possessed notable speed and agility. It was this unique maneuverability that led to his nickname
Jared Lorenzen After playing his collegiate football at the University of Kentucky, Lorenzen was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. Lorenzen shared in the Giants' Super Bowl as a backup quarterback but is widely remembered for his meaty frame and left-handed throwing motion
Troy Polamalu The Pittsburgh Steelers use Polamalu in a number of defensive plays at multiple defensive positions, though he most often fills the safety position. He is known for his strength, speed and ferocity. Polamalu is always around the ball and flying all over the field demonstrating incredible endurance