Tuesday, 28 April 2009

  • 6 Athletes With Very Unfortunate Names

    If you're a sports guy like me, then you've come across some pretty weird names.  Much like celebrity children, the sports world is filled with odd names that make you wonder, "What the eff were his parents smoking when they named him."

    Going off the top of my head, here's 6 athletes who have have very unfortunate names:

    6. Coco Crisp -



    A center fielder for the Kansas City Royals (MLB).  If you remember some of the older cereal brands, Coco's name resembles Cookie Crisps and Cocoa Krispies.

    5. O.J. Mayo -



    Shooting guard for the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA).

    He's another USC product with an odd name.  He can never be  on a first name basis during game telecasts like Kobe or Lebron, cuz it'll just invoke images of the real O.J. (and no, not orange juice). Imagine the broadcaster yelling "O.J. shoots...."

    On top of that, his last name is one of the most disgusting condiments you can ever put on a sandwich.  Not a good combo at all.

    4. Milton Bradley -



    Right fielder for the Chicago Cubs (MLB).

    He's named after a friggin' toy company.  That's the only reason why he's even known in the baseball world.  He's not an amazing player but he has a very memorable name.  When I was in college, a friend of mine told me his father just wrote down Milton Bradley because he wanted a junior, without even bothering to ask his mother. According to his wikipedia profile, he's always been teased about the name but never changed it because it "drives him harder".

    3. Rudy Gay -



    Small forward for the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

    Teammate of O.J. Mayo with his own unfortuanate name.  I feel bad for this guy because it must have been tough growing up with the last name Gay.  As much as we'd like to think society has come a long with when it comes to acceptance and tolerence, kids are cruel as hell.  Now he's in the NBA against grown men, who will look to get any advantage.  Having that name gives the advantage to his opponents.

    2. Gaylord Perry -



    A Hall of Fame baseball player (MLB).

    According to his biography, he was named after his father's close friend, but he must have hated his father and the friend.  I thought Rudy Gay had it tough, you add Lord on top of that. I wonder if Ben Stiller's name, Gaylord Focker in Meet The Parents, was inspired by Gaylord Perry?

    1. Dick Butkus -



    Hall of Fame football player (NFL)

    Man of man, I wonder how many times he was the butt of a joke? (haha get it?) Anyway, Butkus probably used the anger for being named Dick Butkus towards beating the crap out of opponents because he's regarded as one of the greatest NFL players in the history of the game. 

    Plus he's been on TV and seems to always have a growl on his face. I don't blame him, I'd be angry too if my name was Dick Butkus.


    Which one of these names do you think is the worst?  Do you know any one that has a name that can easily be turned into a joke?


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