Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has been the buzz of college football this season. He led the Aggies to an upset win at No. 1 Alabama and could become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. The catchiness of his nickname Johnny Football has only helped to build an instant legend. Here are some other notable sport-specific nicknames from the likes Ted Williams and Gordie Howe:
Name Game: Johnny Football's Select Company Slideshow
Johnny Football
The origin of this nickname for the Texas A&M quarterback remains unclear, but Manziel's family is interested in getting it trademarked.
Teddy Ballgame
Ted Williams said this nickname came from the son of a photographer friend. The boy went to Fenway Park as a toddler, and a couple years later, asked to go again: "I want to see Teddy." His dad said, "Teddy who?" The kid replied, "Teddy Ballgame."
Donnie Baseball
Don Mattingly's nickname gained even more fame when immortalized on an episode of "Seinfeld." George Costanza, after being hired by the Yankees, discussed his conversation with Mattingly: "We talked about his new batting stance. You know, I'm not crazy about it, but I said, 'Donnie, go with it till it stops working.' Donnie Baseball. He's a helluva guy."
Joey Heisman
Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington was "re-named" as part of a promotional stunt that was pushing him for the Heisman Trophy in 2001. This billboard in Times Square made the biggest splash. Harrington finished fourth in the voting behind Eric Crouch, Rex Grossman and Ken Dorsey.
Mr. Hockey
Gordie Howe broke into the NHL in 1946. His last NHL game came in 1980. In between, he won six MVPs, six scoring titles and four Stanley Cups.
Mr. Baseball
Bob Uecker wasn't much of a baseball player but he turned his lack of success on the field into an asset through self-deprecating humor: "Sporting goods companies pay me not to endorse their products." An appearance on The Tonight Show led to Johnny Carson giving him the Mr. Baseball nickname.
Basketball Jones
Not really a person but a classic name. The lead character in the song and cartoon film was actually Tyrone Shoelaces, but the title of this Cheech and Chong creation from the 1970s has had lasting power. The song was covered by Barry White and Chris Rock in "Space Jam" in 1996.
