Great Names in Sports

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 7, 2012

Great Names in Sports

Exree Hipp

The former Maryland leaper whose name sounds like "X-ray Hip," started all four years, from 1992-96, and averaged 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game as a Terp. After school he played for the Harlem Globetrotters. Here are some other sports figures with some incredible -- mostly incredibly amusing -- birth names.

God Shammgod

The former Providence guard led the Friars to the Elite Eight in 1997, where they fell to eventual champion, Arizona. Shammgod briefly played in the NBA before heading overseas. While at Providence, he was known as Shammgod Wells, but because he lacked the funds required for a legal name change, he had to stick with his birth name of "God." Why he wanted to get rid of that is beyond us.

Majestic Mapp

The former McDonald's All-American and Virginia Cavalier was on the verge of making it big, but his career was cut short by a knee injury. Luckily, he still has an awesome name.

Scientific Mapp

So does his brother, Scientific Mapp, who played hoops at Florida A&M.

God'sgift Achiuwa

St. John's has a 6-foot-8, 236-pound forward named God'sgift. That's ... awesome. Side note: According to his college profile, if he weren't playing basketball, he'd be "the best student on campus."

Just-in'Love Smith

No, really. That's how you spell the former Siena player's name.

Austen Powers

He played at Seattle University. He was not an International Man of Mystery.

Dean Windass

The English soccer player played for Hull City of the Premier League in 2008 and become the club's oldest scorer ever when he notched his final Premier League goal at age 39. Try saying his name without laughing.

Per Djoos

The former New York Ranger's name is pronounced "Pear Juice."

Yourhighness Morgan

The career of the former Florida Atlantic linebacker sadly ended when doctors advised him to give up the sport after suffering as many as five concussions.

Wonderful Terrific Monds III

The name of the former Braves outfielder was supposedly given to his grandfather first when his father thought it was "wonderful, just terrific" that he'd finally gotten a son after having many girls.

Hakan Loob

The notable Flames forward of the 1980s made you think of greasy speed or the kind of nasty chest cold you get from hanging around rinks.

I-Perfection Harris

He wasn't perfect coming out of high school, as his name alludes, but he was pretty close. The New York product was rated No. 6 in the state in football and was a state champ in the long jump. He went on to place fifth in the long jump at the 2003 ACC Championships, but transferred from Georgia Tech after the 2004 season.

Dick Butkus

A legendary career. A legendary name. What more is there to say?

I.M. Hipp

The former Nebraska Husker was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 1995 and was a fourth-round draft pick by the Falcons in 1980.

Matt Haryasz

The former 6-11 Stanford forward ranks fourth in career blocks for the Cardinal (130). But forget that: Read his name carefully. Then read it again.

Chief Kickingstallionsims

Actually, the former Alabama St. center's full name is Grlenntys Chief Kickingstallionsims, Jr.

Dick Trickle

Do we really have to go there?

Ben Gay

Gay spent once season in the NFL (2001) as the third-string running back with the Browns. It's sad he never got a sponsorship deal with Bengay, the healing cream.

Milton Bradley

The MLB free agent has the same name as the late board-game inventor. Fun!

Fair Hooker

Not sure what to say about the former Browns receiver's name.

Harry Colon

The former NFL defensive back spent six years in the league and is now a high school coach in Houston.

Ron Tugnutt

The former NHL and Canadian National team goaltender has awkward last name.

Gregor Fucka

The 7-foot Slovenian center played with Olimpija Ljubljana from 1988-90 before moving to Italy and playing pro ball there.

Dick Pole

Pole was a former MLB player and pitching coach.

Larry Playfair

"I remember my mom telling me 'You've got to learn to control your temper," Playfair once told Sabres magazine. "I'd get mad really quick about stupid things, I mean anything. I remember once, [in midget hockey] we lost a playoff game, and we were going down the line, shaking hands, and I just drilled a kid right in the head, I was just so mad." What a fitting name.

Longar Longar

The former Oklahoma center averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 boards over his four-year career (2004-08) as a Sooner. Born in Waw, Sudan, his full name is Longar Salvatory Longar.

Misty Hyman

The U.S. gold-medalist swimmer has an unfortunate name. Oh my.

Razor Shines

The long-time MLB first-basemen was also a base coach for the White Sox (2007) and Mets (2009-10).

Richie Incognito

Hard to be an Incognito when you're 6-3, 324 pounds.

Tommy Gunn

The former Middle Tennessee St. guard averaged 13.5 points in his four years as Blue Raider. Wonder if he's a Rocky V. fan.

Urban Shocker

The former Major League pitcher had a four straight 20-win seasons with the St. Louis Browns and was the last Yankee hurler to legally throw a spitball.

Picabo Street

The retired Alpine skier won an Olympic gold medal in the Super G in 1998 and a World Championship gold medal in the downhill in 1996. She was named after a village near her hometown in Idaho.

Rusty Kuntz

And last but not least, perhaps the most unfortunate name of them all. Remember Rusty, the 1984 World Series champ and former Royals GM?