When Mangini was a 23-year-old coach in Australia, nearly everyone on the team was older and he had a 44-year old player nicknamed the Fossil.

Anthony Mundine (born 1975), Australian boxer and former rugby player nicknamed "The Man"

And because he works so hard himself, the player nicknamed Twan is readily accepted by teammates now that he has become a more vocal leader.

Eason was a talented and hard-working player, nicknamed "Bunny" because of his speed.

What the player - nicknamed Pipi - lacks in physical strength, he makes up for with dribbling ability.

There have been no players nicknamed Heinie in the major leagues since World War II.

"He's not only the best center in the game; he's the best player," point guard Kenny Smith said of the player nicknamed the Dream.

Then the player nicknamed the Professor returned to the rink to talk about hockey, soccer, politics, fitness, diet and whatever else came up in the conversation.

He was still a strict disciplinarian, though, and his players nicknamed him Furious Fergie.

Playing on a non-established field is sometimes referred to as renegade or gonzo play or outlaw ball (with the players nicknamed renegade ballers or outlaws).