by The NFL has some of the best athletes in the world. But did you know it also has some of the funniest names ever?
Fans love players with cool, weird, or hilarious names.
Names like “Ha Ha Clinton-Dix” or “Booger McFarland” make everyone smile when announcers say them on TV!
Some names sound like nicknames. Others sound like cartoon characters. But all of them are 100% real!
These funny NFL players’ names make football even more entertaining.
For more fun NFL stories and player profiles, visit The Top Players.
Funny NFL Player Names
Let’s look at the Top 25 Funny NFL Player Names — past and present — that fans can never forget!
Top 25 Funny NFL Player Names (Past & Present)
1. Kool-Aid McKinstry
Active Years: 2024–present
Team: Denver Broncos
Position: Cornerback
Why Funny: His name sounds like the famous drink brand Kool-Aid!
About Him: A young, talented cornerback who plays with speed and confidence. He covers receivers like a blanket.
Fun Fact: His nickname “Kool-Aid” came from his bright smile and cool personality as a kid. Now it’s his official name!
2. Younghoe Koo
Active Years: 2017–present
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Position: Kicker
Why Funny: Fans sometimes mispronounce his name, which makes it sound hilarious on TV.
About Him: A great kicker from South Korea known for accuracy and clutch field goals. He’s one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL!
Fun Fact: Younghoe went undrafted but proved everyone wrong and became a Pro Bowl kicker.
3. Chad Ochocinco (Chad Johnson)
Active Years: 2001–2011
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots
Position: Wide Receiver
Why Funny: He legally changed his last name to “Ochocinco,” which means “85” in Spanish — his jersey number!
About Him: One of the funniest, flashiest players in NFL history. He celebrated touchdowns in crazy ways and always made fans laugh.
Fun Fact: Chad once tried out for an MLS soccer team and raced a horse!
4. Booger McFarland
Active Years: 1999–2007
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts
Position: Defensive Tackle
Why Funny: His nickname is “Booger!” Yes, really.
About Him: A tough defensive tackle who won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. Now he’s a football analyst on TV.
Fun Fact: His real name is Anthony, but everyone has called him Booger since childhood.
5. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Active Years: 2014–2021
Teams: Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys
Position: Safety
Why Funny: His name sounds like someone laughing twice! “Ha Ha!”
About Him: A hard-hitting safety who made big plays in the secondary. He was a first-round draft pick.
Fun Fact: “Ha Ha” is actually a family nickname that stuck with him forever.
6. Jake Butt
Active Years: 2017–2021
Team: Denver Broncos
Position: Tight End
Why Funny: His last name is… well, you get it!
About Him: A talented tight end from Michigan who dealt with injuries but always gave 100% effort.
Fun Fact: Jake handled his funny name with humor, and fans loved him for it.
7. Dick Butkus
Active Years: 1965–1973
Team: Chicago Bears
Position: Linebacker
Why Funny: His first name is old-fashioned but sounds funny to modern fans.
About Him: One of the greatest linebackers EVER. He was fierce, tough, and unstoppable.
Fun Fact: The Butkus Award is given to the best linebacker in college football each year!
8. Storm Duck
Active Years: 2023–present
Team: Carolina Panthers
Position: Safety
Why Funny: His name sounds like a superhero or a weather event!
About Him: A young safety making his mark in the NFL with smart play and hard hits.
Fun Fact: Storm’s parents wanted a unique name, and they definitely succeeded!
9. Sauce Gardner
Active Years: 2022–present
Team: New York Jets
Position: Cornerback
Why Funny: His nickname is “Sauce!” It’s cool and weird at the same time.
About Him: One of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. He locks down opposing receivers.
Fun Fact: Sauce got his nickname because his mom said he had “too much sauce” (swagger) as a kid!
10. Lucky Whitehead
Active Years: 2015–2018
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets
Position: Wide Receiver / Return Specialist
Why Funny: Who names their kid “Lucky”? Well, his parents did!
About Him: A speedy return specialist known for his quickness and exciting plays.
Fun Fact: Lucky was also really good at basketball before choosing football.
11. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Active Years: 2001–2011
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens
Position: Wide Receiver
Why Funny: Announcers had a HARD time saying his last name!
About Him: A reliable receiver who caught over 600 passes in his career.
Fun Fact: Fans loved it when commentators struggled to pronounce “Houshmandzadeh” on live TV!
12. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Active Years: 2017–present
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots
Position: Wide Receiver
Why Funny: “JuJu” sounds like a toy or candy brand!
About Him: A fun-loving receiver who dances on social media and makes big plays on the field.
Fun Fact: JuJu got his nickname from his aunt when he was a baby.
13. Ladd McConkey
Active Years: 2024–present
Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Wide Receiver
Why Funny: His name sounds like an old Western cowboy!
About Him: A speedy rookie receiver making plays for the Chargers.
Fun Fact: Ladd’s family has Scottish roots, which explains the unique last name.
14. Dick Shiner
Active Years: 1964–1974
Teams: Washington, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Quarterback
Why Funny: Another “Dick” that makes modern fans giggle.
About Him: A backup quarterback who played in the 1960s and 70s.
Fun Fact: Back then, “Dick” was a common nickname for Richard.
15. Fair Hooker
Active Years: 1969–1973
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Position: Running Back
Why Funny: His name sounds like something completely different!
About Him: A running back who played in the NFL during the early 1970s.
Fun Fact: Fair was actually named after a family member.
16. C.J. Ah You
Active Years: 2007–2012
Teams: Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams
Position: Defensive End
Why Funny: His last name sounds like someone sneezing!
About Him: A defensive player with Samoan heritage and a memorable name.
Fun Fact: “Ah You” is a traditional Samoan family name.
17. Benjamin Gay
Active Years: 1976–1982
Teams: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions
Position: Safety
Why Funny: His name combination sounds unusual to modern ears.
About Him: A solid safety who played in the NFL during the late 70s and early 80s.
18. Spencer Rattler
Active Years: 2024–present
Team: New Orleans Saints
Position: Quarterback
Why Funny: His last name is “Rattler” like a rattlesnake!
About Him: A young quarterback trying to make his mark in the NFL.
Fun Fact: Spencer was a highly-ranked college quarterback before turning pro.
19. DeMarvion Overshown
Active Years: 2023–present
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Position: Linebacker
Why Funny: “Overshown” sounds like he’s showing off too much!
About Him: An athletic linebacker for the Cowboys with great potential.
20. Shy Tuttle
Active Years: 2019–present
Team: New Orleans Saints
Position: Defensive Tackle
Why Funny: A huge defensive lineman named “Shy!” That’s hilarious!
About Him: Shy is anything but shy on the field. He’s a strong interior defender.
21. Ruke Orhorhoro
Active Years: 2024–present
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Position: Defensive Tackle
Why Funny: Try saying his last name three times fast!
About Him: A rookie defensive tackle with a unique name from Nigeria.
22. Ziggy Hood
Active Years: 2009–2015
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars
Position: Defensive End
Why Funny: “Ziggy” sounds like a cartoon character!
About Him: A solid defensive player who started for the Steelers.
23. Rock Ya-Sin
Active Years: 2019–present
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens
Position: Cornerback
Why Funny: His name sounds like a music genre — “Rock Ya Sin!”
About Him: A physical cornerback who plays tough defense.
24. Buster Skrine
Active Years: 2011–2020
Teams: Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Chicago Bears
Position: Cornerback
Why Funny: “Buster” sounds like an old-timey nickname!
About Him: A veteran cornerback who played for over a decade.
25. Laiatu Latu
Active Years: 2024–present
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Position: Defensive End
Why Funny: His first and last names rhyme perfectly!
About Him: A talented pass rusher from Samoa making waves in the NFL.
Quick Look
| Player Name | Funny Part | Position | Active Years | Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kool-Aid McKinstry | Sounds like a drink | CB | 2024–present | Broncos |
| Younghoe Koo | Unique pronunciation | K | 2017–present | Falcons |
| Booger McFarland | Childhood nickname | DT | 1999–2007 | Buccaneers, Colts |
| Ha Ha Clinton-Dix | Double laugh name | S | 2014–2021 | Packers, Bears |
| Jake Butt | Name sounds funny | TE | 2017–2021 | Broncos |
| Sauce Gardner | Cool nickname | CB | 2022–present | Jets |
| Storm Duck | Superhero-like name | S | 2023–present | Panthers |
| Dick Butkus | Old-fashioned first name | LB | 1965–1973 | Bears |
Why Funny Names Make the NFL More Fun?
Funny NFL names add personality to the game!
Here’s why fans love them:
- They make fans laugh and remember players easily – A unique name sticks in your mind forever.
- A funny name can go viral on social media – Players like Sauce Gardner trend online because of their names!
- It helps players stand out even before they play a game – Scouts and fans notice unusual names right away.
- Some names come from childhood nicknames, others from family history – Every name has a story behind it.
When you hear names like “Booger” or “Ha Ha,” you can’t help but smile. That’s the magic of football — it’s serious but also full of fun personalities!
Conclusion:
Football isn’t just about touchdowns and tackles — it’s also about fun names, big laughs, and great stories!
These 25 funny NFL player names show that football has heart, humor, and a lot of personality.
Whether it’s Kool-Aid McKinstry sounding like a drink or Dick Butkus being a Hall of Fame legend, these names remind us that the game is meant to be enjoyed!
From hilarious NFL names like Jake Butt to unique football names like Laiatu Latu, every player brings something special to the league.
So next time you watch a game and hear a funny name, remember — it’s all part of what makes the NFL amazing!
