Patriots quarterback Cam Newton now using historic Boston sports references to tag teammates

More humorous stories, and more crazy nicknames from Cam Newton.

The Patriots quarterback has clearly hooked his teammates on the nicknames he’s come up with for them during the year.

On Thursday, during his video conference, we discovered Newton is a connoisseur of Boston sports history.

What was the tip-off?

He provided a Bostonian take on kicker Nick Folk, who booted the game-winner against the Jets Monday night, after missing time with a bad back.

Newton revealed his usual nickname for Folk is “Kicker Guy,” just as punter Jake Bailey is “Punter Guy,” and long snapper Joe Cardona is “Snapper Guy.”

But, after witnessing Folk’s heroics, he was almost tempted to change the kicker’s name after his winning boot.

“I wanted to kind of call him ‘Paul Pierce Guy’ because he did kind of fake like he was injured but came back and balled,” Newton said, prompting laughter from reporters on the video call.

The reference, of course, was to Pierce getting injured in the 2008 NBA Finals, and dramatically being taken off in a wheelchair, only to run back onto the court moments later and help the Celtics beat the Lakers.

So either Newton happened to watch the game, or has made sure to become a Boston sports historian.

Whatever the case, it’s impressive. So are the list of nicknames.

He explained why Ryan Izzo is “Buzzo.”

“That name came from ‘Home Alone.’ The brother, Buzz,” said Newton. “And I thought Iz looked, kind of resembled, the older brother. So, Izzo, Buzzo, you see?”

Deatrich Wise is “Crazy Legs,” in Newton-speak, Ja’Whaun Bentley is “Bent Dog,” and Beau Allen is “Bo Diddley.”

Newly-signed receiver Isaiah Ford was also just given a handle.

“Hot off the press. His nickname is 30 for 30. Probably asking yourself why 30 for 30. I asked him, ‘Yo, Isaiah. Do you have any nicknames?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, just call me Zay.’ I said, ‘Cool, cool.’’’

Newton then explained he informed Ford that he was the team “nicknamer” and then asked the wide receiver about himself, so he could properly name him.

“(I asked) do you have a hidden talent? Do you play a musical instrument, do you know how to sing, do you draw, whatever?’’’ Newton said. “He was like, ‘No, I know how to hoop.’ So, I looked at him like, ‘You know how to hoop?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, I know how to hoop.’ He was like, ‘In high school, shoot, I averaged 30 points.’ I said, ‘Welp, there you go. 30 for 30. That’s your nickname. Boom.’

“Unfortunately or should I say fortunately for him, I tried to Google him, and I didn’t see that statistic,” Newton added with a laugh. “But the nickname is pretty much catchy. I like it. I don’t know if it’s going to stick. See, it’s too early to tell if it’s going to stick now. But as of right now, the pending nickname for new guy Isaiah is 30 for 30.”

Newton also explained his nicknames get players more involved in team culture, which certainly appears to be the case.

“This has been, as Bostonians would say, a wicked year for what it’s been worth. Obviously COVID has kind of limited any type of team interactions outside of the stadium. And normally we would have probably had gatherings but that has been halted all year,” he said. “So, anytime you have the opportunity to talk to a teammate, be around a teammate, whether in the training room or walking out to the practice facility, working out, obviously practicing social distancing, you will always want to chat and talk and make the day go by faster so to speak.

“And that’s what it all comes down to. I’ve been a part of teams where, at times you feel like, even though you’re sharing or you’re locker room mates or you’re locker mates, that’s just your co-worker. And I’ve also been around teams that have been extremely close and guys have this family-oriented bond and those teams usually last and that’s what we’re trying to get to.’’

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36qweg8