Moments in NFL History: Name game gains fame
NFL
Published on : 3/10/2026
“I was always fascinated by neat nicknames.”
Hall of Famer STEVE SABOL was expressing the view of most football fans when he shared his thoughts on catchy nicknames. The game of football has seen its share come and go – from the unorthodox ones to the ones crowning players the greatest of all time.
Many members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are known not only for their highly successful play, but also for their enduring nicknames. Players like MICHAEL “The Playmaker” IRVIN, “Mean” JOE GREENE, DEION “Prime Time” SANDERS, CALVIN “Megatron” JOHNSON occupy the list of Hall of Famers with iconic nicknames.
But just like the players who paved the way for these individuals to become stars in the game, there were also players who paved the “nickname” way. One of those is CLYDE “Bulldog” TURNER, who was born on this day (March 10) in 1919.
After graduating from Sweetwater High School in Texas, Turner enrolled at Hardin-Simmons College in Abilene. It was there where the nickname “Bulldog” was born.
Turner attended college with his best friend, A.J. Roy, and to encourage each other in practices, they gave each other nicknames. Roy was “Tiger”; Turner became “Bulldog.”
Turner went on to star for the Chicago Bears, where he was their first-round draft pick in 1940. He excelled as both the starting center on the team and as a starting linebacker. On offense, he was an exceptional blocker who could play multiple positions on the line. On defense, using his speed, he was a threat to the opponents’ passing game – totaling 17 interceptions and leading the NFL in interceptions in 1942 with eight.
The nickname became so universally used, a search for Turner on Pro Football Reference’s online database does not return a hit if “Clyde Turner” is entered in the search field. He’s “Bulldog Turner.”
Reflecting on his nickname, Turner told the Dixon Evening Telegraph in 1974, “It’s a little embarrassing to be called ‘Bulldog’ when you are over 50, but I guess it beats the hell out of ‘Clyde.’”
“Bulldog” wasn’t alone in an era when many players were as widely known for their nickname as their given name. Some reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Unique names. Legendary careers. All earning them a place in their second home in Canton, Ohio.
This article from the Hall of Fame Communications Team is part of recurring series celebrating memorable moments in NFL history.
Hall of Famer STEVE SABOL was expressing the view of most football fans when he shared his thoughts on catchy nicknames. The game of football has seen its share come and go – from the unorthodox ones to the ones crowning players the greatest of all time.
Many members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are known not only for their highly successful play, but also for their enduring nicknames. Players like MICHAEL “The Playmaker” IRVIN, “Mean” JOE GREENE, DEION “Prime Time” SANDERS, CALVIN “Megatron” JOHNSON occupy the list of Hall of Famers with iconic nicknames.
But just like the players who paved the way for these individuals to become stars in the game, there were also players who paved the “nickname” way. One of those is CLYDE “Bulldog” TURNER, who was born on this day (March 10) in 1919.
After graduating from Sweetwater High School in Texas, Turner enrolled at Hardin-Simmons College in Abilene. It was there where the nickname “Bulldog” was born.
Turner attended college with his best friend, A.J. Roy, and to encourage each other in practices, they gave each other nicknames. Roy was “Tiger”; Turner became “Bulldog.”
Turner went on to star for the Chicago Bears, where he was their first-round draft pick in 1940. He excelled as both the starting center on the team and as a starting linebacker. On offense, he was an exceptional blocker who could play multiple positions on the line. On defense, using his speed, he was a threat to the opponents’ passing game – totaling 17 interceptions and leading the NFL in interceptions in 1942 with eight.
The nickname became so universally used, a search for Turner on Pro Football Reference’s online database does not return a hit if “Clyde Turner” is entered in the search field. He’s “Bulldog Turner.”
Reflecting on his nickname, Turner told the Dixon Evening Telegraph in 1974, “It’s a little embarrassing to be called ‘Bulldog’ when you are over 50, but I guess it beats the hell out of ‘Clyde.’”
“Bulldog” wasn’t alone in an era when many players were as widely known for their nickname as their given name. Some reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
- “Slingin’ SAMMY BAUGH
- JOHN “Blood” McNALLY
- JOHN “Paddy” DRISCOLL
- ELROY “Crazylegs” HIRSCH
- EARLE “Greasy” NEALE
- FRANK “Bruiser” KINARD
Unique names. Legendary careers. All earning them a place in their second home in Canton, Ohio.
This article from the Hall of Fame Communications Team is part of recurring series celebrating memorable moments in NFL history.