Athletic Nicknames Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mickey Mantle

Mickey was born in Oklahoma, and at age four he and his family moved to the town of Commerce, Oklahoma. He became a multi-sport athlete playing at Commerce High School. When he became a member of the Yankees, he picked up the nickname because he was one of the fastest running to first base.

Answer: Roberto Duran

Duran was one of the hardest punching boxers in history which is the reason for his nickname. He also is recognized with the phrase "No Mas", which was what he told the referee when he quit during his 1980 bout with Sugar Ray Leonard. He walked to his corner during the eighth round saying in Spanish that he didn't want to fight this guy anymore.

The referee asked if he was sure and he replied "no mas, no mas" which means "no more". Hearns was called "the Hitman", Hagler was "Marvelous", and of course Ray Leonard was "Sugar".

Answer: Earl Campbell

Campbell grew up in Tyler, Texas, which was dubbed the "Rose Capital of America" due to its prominence in the rose growing industry. Campbell not only won the Heisman trophy while with the Texas Longhorns (1977), but he also won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1979.

Answer: Vladimir Sabich- skier

The famed American skier who was allegedly shot to death accidentally by his girlfriend Claudine Longet was known as "Spider" which is an animal but not a mammal. Issel had the nickname, "Horse", Messier was one of several with the nickname "Moose", and Y.A. Title was dubbed "The Bald Eagle".

Answer: Al Hrabosky

Hrabosky was one of the most colorful charcters in all of sports. His antics on the pitcher's mound were classic. After each pitch he would turn away from the batter walking towards second base, and then after pounding his mitt he would mumble to himself before storming back to the mound to throw his next pitch. The other three who had their own nicknames were of Polish descent.

Answer: Tree

The center of the Atlanta Hawks used his height to become one of the top five shot blockers in NBA history. He was also known as the "Imtimidator", although "Tree" was what most people remember him by.

Answer: The Secretary of Defense

Both players were part of a team whose forte was defense. Jones was a part of the famed "Fearsome Foursome" of the 1960s Rams. Maddox was one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball, winning the Gold Glove several times.

Answer: Jack Nicklaus-golfer

Nicklaus got the name from his size, blond hair and agressive play. Considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all-time, Nicklaus has set golf records that may never be matched. Paul Bryant, legendary Alabama coach had the nickname "Bear". Payton and Sayers played for the Chicago Bears but their nicknames were "Sweetness" (Payton) and the "Kansas Comet" (Sayers).

Answer: Red

There have been many athletes who have the nickname "Red", including legendary Boston Celtic coach and owner "Red" Auerbach, Hall of Fame Football player "Red" Grange and baseball player and coach "Red" Schoendienst. Babe has been used many times including female track star and golfer Mildred Didrikson and of course Hall of Fame Yankee legend Babe Ruth.

The nickname the Flying Finn has been used by a number of Finnish runner and Formula One race car drivers. :Moose" has been used seven times by such greats as hockey star Mark Messier, baseball pitcher Mike Mussina and former Dallas Cowboy fullback Daryl Johnston.

Answer: Fred McGriff

McGriff got his nickname from ESPN host Chris Berman who had a habit of coming up with clever nicknames for athletes. The name was a play on the TV commercial dog known as "McGruff", who was the center of commercials helping kids gain an awareness on crime prevention.