Some games feel like they’re never supposed to end — triple overtime, marathon innings, endless penalty kicks. And maybe that’s exactly why athletes love them. The tension that makes fans sick to their stomachs is the same pressure players secretly crave. It’s the feeling that keeps them bouncing on the dugout rail, whispering “one more shot,” even as the clock bleeds into tomorrow. From childhood pickup battles under dim streetlights to pros like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and

From “Slim Reaper” to “Cheetah,” today’s athletes are more than their stats—they’re icons with names that capture their essence. These nicknames go beyond the scoreboard, telling stories of speed, dominance, and charisma. Here are the five best athlete nicknames in sports right now—and the stories behind them.