Over the next few weeks, here at WBN, we will be running down some of the best-ever moments in Kentucky history. First, we will discuss the best nicknames across all Kentucky sports.
1. The Brow- Anthony Davis
Known for his all-around game, his time at Kentucky was filled with accolades: he was a national champion, player of the year, and most outstanding player in the final four. The nickname is pretty self-explanatory, and everyone eventually learned to fear the brow.
2. Hefty Lefty/The Pillsbury Throwboy- Jared Lorenzen
Kentucky legend Jared Lorenzen defied the odds and broke records at Kentucky for the following:
Passing yards: 10,354,
Passing attempts: 1,514
Completions: 862
Total offense: 10,637 yards
Most passing yards in a game: 528 against Georgia in 2000
Most passes attempted in a season: 559 in 2000
He also won a Super Bowl as a backup with the New York Giants. His arm strength is legendary, and though gone too soon, he will always be remembered.
3. Sky- Kenny Walker
Known for being able to effortlessly glide the air, Kenny Walker was a consistent force for the Cats, averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds a game before being selected in the top 5 of the NBA draft.
4. Boogie- Demarcus Cousins
Demarcus Cousins came to Kentucky and said he felt he never wanted to leave. Kentucky fans would have been happy getting Boogie back for as many years as he could stay. Cousins, known for a bit of a temper, was never one to hold back his emotions, but will always have a special place in Kentucky fan's memories.
5. Goose- Jack Givens
Born in Lexington and leading the Cats to the 1978 title, Goose's legendary performance against Duke is maybe one of the greatest individual performances in Kentucky history. Givens scored 41 points, leading the Cats to victory. Not too many people can write a better script than that.
6. Jorts- Josh Harrellson
Harrellson was a fan favorite as he worked hard on the court every time he donned the UK jersey. The Jorts nickname got started once he began to wear jean shorts; perhaps his best performance was a 17-point and 10-rebound game against Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament. Harrellson continued his pro career internationally but is still fondly thought of in the bluegrass.
7. Monster Mash- Jamal Mashburn
Mashburn was a star his Junior year, averaging over 20 points and 8 rebounds a game. He continued a successful career in the NBA after being selected in the top 5 by the Dallas Mavericks.
8. Poop- Corey Johnson
In what is definitely the funniest entry, Cory Johnson had a quote that earned him the nickname poop. You see, Cory had a weight issue, and when asked about it, his response was golden, " “I’ll be 290; next day, I’ll be 300. Next day I’ll be 280, It goes on its own…I guess ‘cause I poop so much… I try to poop five times a day, three times a day. It’s hard to keep weight when you’ve got so much coming out," Johnson told LEX 18. Despite the nickname, Johnson had a few years in the NFL and one funny tweet:
We have released the following players: American DB Crezdon Butler, American DT Poop Johnson and American RB Tyrell Sutton.
— Toronto Argonauts Media Relations (@ArgonautsMR) July 10, 2019
9. Bear- Paul Bryant
Known more for his time at Alabama, the bear left Kentucky after 8 seasons, including the 1950 season, where they finished with a Southeastern Conference title, going 11-1 and beating top-ranked Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
10. The Horse- Dan Issel
A legend of the hardwood, Issel’s scoring prowess earned him a nickname that reflects his reliability and toughness, missing only 24 games across his pro career before being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.
That's my list BBN, now its your turn, let me know if I missed your favorite nickname