The Top 10 NFL Nicknames of the Greatest Professional Football Players of All Time Part II

One article alone would not be enough to include all of the top 10 NFL nicknames of all time without the addition of a second part that will give tribute to these other great NFL players. These groups of NFL elite players come from a rare breed - which consist of a special Hall of Fame Class that will one day be remembered as the best to ever play at their respective NFL position.

#1. Derrick Vincent Thomas: The 6-3 243 Pound LB was a terror on the field, his nimble, graceful, athletic, and dominating tacking style earned him the nickname of "DDT" - and there may no other defensive back that played the game the way that he did. Derrick Thomas ended his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999, his untimely death in February 2000 was a shock to many NFL fans, if he had played as long as Reggie White - he may have broken "The Minister of Defence" all time sack record.

#2. Robert John Riggins: The 6-2 230 Pound RB was a threat to pound opposing defenders in the dirt, this is how he earned his nickname "The Diesel" - John ended his career with the Washington Redskins in 1985.

#3. Terry Paxton Bradshaw: The 6-3 215 Pound QB earned his nickname early in his career as he would lead his Pittsburgh Steelers team to win three Super Bowls, "The Blonde Bomber" - will be forever remembered as one of the toughest quarterbacks to play the game.

#4. John Albert Elway: The 6-3 215 Pound QB earned his nickname as "Captain Comeback" in the nineteen nineties - due to the fact that Elway would lead his team to three Super Bowls, but would not win any of them. Later in his career John Elway would end his NFL career by having the heart and courage to guide his Denver Bronco team to win back to back Super Bowls in 1997 & 1998. John Elway played his entire career with the Denver Broncos; he retired in 1998 - bowing out in grand glory.

#5. Peyton Williams Manning: The 6-5 230 Pound QB would earn his nickname early on in his career by becoming the new "Captain Comeback" - but would don the name of "The Field General" due to his magnificent third and fourth quarter come from behind victories. When it is all said and done - Peyton Manning may own every NFL record that has once to be thought of as unbreakable.

#6. Thomas Edward Patrick Brady: The 6-4 225 Pound QB was once thought as not having enough skill or talent to compete in the NFL. Not only would Tom Brady adopt the nickname of "Captain Cool" - he would go on to lead the New England Patriots to win 3 Super Bowls, and ultimately become the new face of a once ridiculed franchise.

#7. Jerome Abram Bettis: The 5-11 252 Pound RB came into the league and was donned immediately by the sports/NFL media as the "Battering Ram" - due to his enormous bruising running style. Jerome Bettis would end his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers - in which he would be given another nick name. The "The Bus" was a perfect nickname which would stick with him until he retired in 2005. Bettis did not end his career on a sour note; he would go on to win his first Super Bowl championship just before he threw in the terrible towel.

#8. Edgerrin Tyree James: The 6-0 214 Pound RB would quickly earn his nickname "The Edge" - due to his elusive speedy running style, which gave the Colts that extra boost to winning crucial games. Although Edgerrin James made the Colts team great, he would be released in 2005 - and he did not get a chance to win a Super Bowl ring with the Colts in 2006.

#9. Jerry Lee Rice: The 6-2 200 Pound WR would set the world on fire during his first 4 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, the nickname "Instant Rice" would be a name that would resonate between San Fran fans as he would someday own every receiving record. Even though the great Jerry Rice is the NFL title holder of every receiving record - there are several receivers that do have a chance on breaking his records if they play as many years as he did.

#10. Drew McQueen Bledsoe: The 6-5 238 Pound QB was one of those players that played in some of the most exciting and nail biting games an NFL spectator has ever seen. Drew Bledsoe was Dan Marino's rival considering his arm strength and able to throw long bombs, this is why "The Mad Bomber" was an ideal nickname that he earned in the nineteen nineties.

Statistical Information: www.profootballreference.com