Category Archives: Colorful Names

Colorful Names – Henry “Gizmo” Williams

For a guy that played in 3 professional football leagues, Henry “Gizmo” Williams has had a storied professional football career.  However, his fame and notoriety was created when played in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos. He is also sadly … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – Pee Wee Reese

Harold Henry Reese was born in on July 23, 1918 in Ekron, Kentucky.  Reese was with the Dodger Organization from 1940 until 1958.  Reese spent three years in the Navy during World War II (1943-1945) in the middle of his … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – Magic Johnson

Pro Basketball Hall Of Fame Player, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, is one of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History” by The NBA. As a player he is also a 5 time NBA champion, 3 time NBA Most Valuable Player, 12 … Continue reading

Colorful Names, Professional Basketball

Colorful Names – Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch

Born in Wisconsin, Hirsch had a successful college athletic career.  He started his college career in Wisconsin, where he played for one season in 1942. He was then assigned to Michigan in 1943 while serving in the Marine Corps. He … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – Jake “The Snake” Roberts

Born Aurelian Smith Jr. on May 30, 1955, Jake “The Snake” Roberts is the son of wrestler Grizzly Smith and half-brother of wrestlers Sam Houston and Rockin’ Robin. He started his wrestling career in 1975.

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Colorful Names – Satchel Paige

It is estimated that Leroy “Satchel” Paige was born on July 7, 1906 however he grew up to become arguably the best pitcher in Negro League Baseball and Major League Baseball. He is at least considered the hardest throwing pitcher … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – “Fang” Mitchell

Throughout the past couple of decades, Coppin State University (formerly Coppin State College) has had a basketball team that has always dominated the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference. This can be credited to the hard nose coaching of Ronald Mitchell who is … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – “Boomer” Esiason

Boomer Esiason is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. Arbitrarily, he is also one of the best left-handed quarterback to ever play. The NFL Network ranked him 3rd best behind Kenny “The Snake” Stabler and Steve … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – Pelé

Usually in sports, rating the greatest athlete in a particular sport always comes with a good argument but in football (soccer for us Americans) there is absolutely no argument. In the sport of football there is only one guy who … Continue reading

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Colorful Names – Robert “Tractor” Traylor

At 6’8″, power forward/center Robert DeShaun “Tractor” Traylor was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round (sixth pick overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft but they traded his rights to the Milwaukee Bucks for the draft rights to … Continue reading

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