Much like Adam Jones and “Pacman,” Harold Miner and “Baby Jordan,” or Jim Everett and “Chris,” Buccaneers running back Doug Martin loathes the nickname “Muscle Hamster.”
The 26-year-old has made his disdain for the epithet well-known in the last couple of years, so he obviously wasn’t happy when the NFL recently tried to resurrect the hated tag by including it on a Martin highlight on their official Twitter account.
Doug Martin.
Currently bouncing off defenders and breaking tackles like 2012 Muscle Hamster. #CINvsTB http://t.co/561EEXaAmm
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2015
@NFL Appreciate the shout out but can you refrain from using that name please?
— Doug Martin (@DougMartin22) August 26, 2015
To their credit, the NFL (or at least their social media team) was a good sport about it, quickly granting Martin’s request.
@DougMartin22 You got it. Looking good nonetheless.
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2015
Detest the nickname as he may, Martin probably longs for those Muscle Hamster days of old when as a rookie in 2012, he rushed for 1454 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl selection. But in the two seasons since, Martin has struggled with ankle and shoulder injuries, recording a combined total of just 950 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The good news is that Martin has looked great this preseason, showing a nice synergy with new teammate, No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. Now, the Boise State product is poised to make the new post-Muscle Hamster era even more memorable.
Now he just needs a new nickname to go into battle with. Teach Me How To Dougie? D-Mart? Smug Martin? Martin the Martian? Dougie Howser? OK, I’m gonna shut up now.
#StopMuscleHamster2015
H/T theScore
Image Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
