Before our game against Buff State yesterday, I briefly chatted with the television commentator. I knew him from working the sidelines at UB football games, so we exchanged hellos and he said he needed some "filler" for the broadcast.
After discussing some players I'd played against in high school and some facts about my hometown (he actually graduated from Mercyhurst College, which is in Erie), he asked me for some interesting tidbits about the guys on the team.
And it came up: who has the best nickname?
Being around guys everyday in the locker room, it's almost a sure bet that you'll acquire at least one nickname. Last names are always a safe starting point, and from there nicknames can range from abbreviated pronunciations of a name to something completely irrelevant.
It's almost impossible to choose the BEST nickname.
Fortunately, I was blessed with a pretty unique last name. Smiley has served as both a namesake and a permanent nickname almost since I can remember. Alterations have been made through the years as I have been called "Smiles," "Sir Smiley," "S-Dot" (the S-Dot being the first letter of my first name and a period, as in 'S. Smiley'), among others. So for the most part I have escaped any ridiculous nicknames.
For the most part.
Somehow I've taken on the nickname "Sunshine" (most likely in reference to the California-bred quarterback from Remember the Titans) as well as "Ugly" (don't ask me why) and "Li'l White" (television show reference).
Nicknames can also stem from unique physical traits or celebrity look-alikes. I don't really look much like anyone famous - I have gotten a few Steve Blake comments - so I managed to dodge that bullet.
All in all, nicknames keep things light and add some fun to the locker room environment. They create and also strengthen memories - and nicknames almost always stick, no matter how outlandish they might seem.
So to continue my story, I wasn't able to give the broadcaster a "best" nickname.
We ended up winning the game, which is always a good feeling. A few of my buddies were up from Erie to watch, and they enjoyed themselves as I showed them a little taste of Buffalo - including a trip to Red Robin for burgers and bottomless french fries.
