The Name Game

As the title states, this blog entry is totally random. Ok, maybe random to you, the reader, but not to me, the author. The NFL Combine starts today in Indianapolis at the RCA Dome. (The Colts can’t win a Super Bowl, but they can get 350 college football players on their home field to run drills and show off their “talent.” At least it’s something.) I have mixed feelings about the Combine. It really can make or break a player’s chances in the NFL Draft, and it’s so agent driven that I have trouble seeing past that to what it was originally designed for. In any case, in reading all these articles about who is at the Combine and who isn’t, I’ve stumbled across my new favorite name. Names fascinate me, i.e., meanings, reasons why parents named their child that (cruel or otherwise), etc. Several years ago, my favorite name was Chidi Ahanotu (CHEATIE UH-HON-UH-TU). He was a defensive end drafted late by Tampa Bay. I have no idea what kind of career he had or what he’s doing now, but I sure did love that name!

Over the years I’ve had my fair share of favorite names from the NFL William “The Refrigerator” Perry, Flozell “The Hotel” Adams, Lofa Tatupu, Troy Polamalu (just the last name—I can finally pronounce that without looking at it first), and the like. But I…yes, I have a new favorite name. I don’t know where he’ll go in the draft (he’s projected as a top 10 pick—one reason why he’s not at the Combine—no improvement necessary), and I don’t know what stats or performances make up that prediction, but my new favorite name is:

D’Brickashaw Ferguson

I’m calling him D.B. for short. He’s from New York, played at UVA (shout out to my favorite UVA grad--guess who) and in the Senior Bowl recently where I was first introduced to him (sorry I don’t pay much attention to ACC football beyond Florida State). But, get this, his middle name is Montgomery. D’Brickashaw Montgomery Ferguson. Now there’s a name, ladies and gentlemen. The funniest part, his brother’s name is Edwin (who is named after their father). I’d be interested to know where D.B.’s parents came up with his name. :) Of course, if he were at the Combine, I’m sure his agent would tell us the whole story.

See what I mean...RANDOM!