Nicknames in college football help make it the unique and entertaining pastime that captures the nation’s attention every fall.
From “The Boz” to “Cadillac” to “Red Rifle,” a plethora of legendary players have been known by anything other than what is formally listed on their birth certificate.
Auburn may have a new addition into that lineage this season, as senior safety Champ Anthony is commonly called “The Pirate” by teammates.
While appearing at SEC Media Days on Tuesday, the Fort Worth, Texas, native provided some background on how he earned the moniker.
“Man, I don’t even have enough time [to explain it]. One of my friends from JUCO gave me that nickname,” Anthony said. “I sail the seas and I do what I want and I take what I want.”
Playing primarily in a backup role for 3 years, Anthony has recorded 30 total tackles and 4 pass breakups with the Tigers.
Originally arriving at Auburn from Tyler Junior College in Texas, Anthony’s given name is actually Chancellor, meaning that he now boasts a pair of nicknames.
And as one of the veteran leaders for a Tiger team that hopes to surprise in the first year of the Alex Golesh era, Anthony will be looking to pillage the SEC’s offenses in order to live up to that nickname.
Parker is currently the sports editor for Gulf Coast Media in Foley, Alabama. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
