Getty ImagesBucs running back Doug Martin hates the name “Muscle Hamster.” That much we know. But what we don’t know is how he got it.
Now we do.
Martin, a late-emerging candidate for offensive rookie of the year, tells Mike Garafolo of USA Today that the name initially was applied not to Martin but to his girlfriend at Boise State.
“[S]he was a gymnast,” Martin said. “Small, but more cut than I was. My friend [and college teammate] Jarell Root called her a muscle hamster. So I stood up for her, like, ‘Hey, man, she’s not a muscle hamster!’ And he said, ‘You’re a muscle hamster, too.’ So they called us the muscle hamsters.”
After that, a friend mentioned the nickname in an article about Martin. And then it ended up on ESPN. And it took off from there.
At least no one is calling him an elf, angry or otherwise. Yet.
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Actually, the name didn’t come from an act of chivalry. It came after based on your account. Do you guys edit anything here?
He’s the best. I am so glad I was able to trade for him the week prior to his break out!
Mmmm…gymnast.
How about “Ripped Gerbil”?
“Little Buccarroo” is the new name according to Dan Patrick
Richard Gere requests more hamster coverage.
Dougie the Hedgehog
Arnold Schwartzeferret
Muscle Hamster is the best nickname ever given to a pro athlete. He should embrace it. Greg Steimsma, recently dubbed Steamer, is a close second.
I think “Lemmiwinks” would be hilarious
‘You’re a muscle hamster, too.’ So they called us the muscle hamsters.
HAHAHAHA .. i love it
No need to wonder what Muscle Hamsters are up to in their free time.
It is amazing after years of training how one can contort one’s body. Of course, it is only useful in gymnastics.
I also think it’s the best nickname ever for an athlete. He may not like but it’s not going anywhere.
I mean, is there a better line in sports than ‘ I think they are to bring in muscle hamster to put the game away’.
Better than ‘and the muscle gerbil pounded through that hole and nothing way stopping him until he saw daylight’.
Cam Newton wishes he could trades names…Garbage Time Superman just doesn’t have the same ring.
blackandbluedivision says:
Nov 9, 2012 3:37 PM
Arnold Schwartzeferret
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Awesome! But I think Schwarzenhamster sounds even better. It sounds more German.
he specifically said ON ESPN his college lineman gave it to him because of how much he could lift in the weight room…so
How about the Dougernaut? He’s a beast and runs right through defensive walls.. It makes sense.
Looks like San Diego knows how to stop this rodent this week; keep him busy with a bunch of cedar gnaws.
Aha Jarrel Root of the Dolphins Hard Knocks, quite an entertaining character.