Name, its defined as: a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called or known. But in the world of sports, a name is more than just a title. Your name could dictate whether you have a long lasting career, whether you're a feast or famine player and definitely gives it away when a team just wasted a franchise pick , because you're going to be bust and nothing more, because your full government name just told us so.
Let's cut right to the chase. "And with the second pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select Ryan Leaf, Quarterback, Washington State". Where in that sentence do you see "hope, future, championship, franchise QB?" Nowhere. The name Ryan Leaf sounds like a 4th grade math teacher. "Mr. Leaf, may I please go to the bathroom?" It doesn't sound like it could be succeeded with "Super Bowl MVP." Just saying that made me chuckle a little. Fast forward 12 years, and The Chargers have a top 5 QB at the helm named Rivers. Philip Rivers. Now that's a name that says gunslinger, throw bombs in the end-zone, successful NFL Quarterback.
But not every players misfortune on the field is a result of his full name. In some cases an unsuspecting athlete will fall victim to a letter being out of place. Consider if you will, one Joey Harrington. First off, nothing much is expected from you if you're the starting QB of the Detroit Lions. But with that being said, Joey Joey Joey, sounds like the man who never was. The man who always came close but fell short, never made an entrance when entering a room. Now what if he was named Joe Harrington ? Then he would be a grizzled QB, known for not being scared, getting into bar brawls the night before the game and the QB who came into Detroit, kicked ass and took names. A guy named Joey Montana was not going to win 5 super bowls. Joey Namath? He would never make a guarantee. Mean "Joey" Green? Probably drinks Pepsi. A young hot shot named Joey Flacco goes into that tenacious Ravens locker room and gains respect? Not even in your slightest dreams.
Hey look, I know there are no sabre-metrics or advanced calculations to back this all up, and young parents, naming your kid Peyton or Tom doesn't guarantee him a spot in Canton. I mean, if you already picked Reginald, why go through all the trouble of changing that garish name now? But if you want your kids to have a better shot at hitting boxcars in the veritable crap shoot that is professional football success, try calling him Reggie. At the very least, it'll make high school easier.
-One Hop
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