When Doug Martin entered the NFL in 2012, he came into the league with high expectations as a first-round pick. He also came with a nickname from college; the Muscle Hamster. As Martin explained to SB Nation prior to his rookie season, some linemen from Boise State donned him the Muscle Hamster thanks to his stature and physique.
Stop calling Doug Martin ‘Muscle Hamster’ okay guys? Please?
“Basically, it means a person of small stature who is very well-built,” Martin said. “I have linemen friends, and I’m smaller than them, so I guess they decided to give me the name Muscle Hamster.”
There is only one problem. Martin hates that nickname. Back then he said he had hoped to leave the nickname in Boise. That didn’t happen and three years later he’s still trying to shed it. Like really trying to shed it.
November 2012: “Buccaneers RB Doug Martin hates ‘Muscle Hamster’ nickname”
“It has to be the worst nickname ever,” Martin told NFL AM on Tuesday. “I can’t shake it. It started in college, started back in Boise, with our linemen. I have a lot of bigger friends, and they’d call me the Muscle Hamster because of how much I could lift in the weight room.”
February 2013: “Doug Martin: ‘Muscle Hamster has to stop’”
Martin said he’s more than fine with fans calling him “Dougernaut,” “The Dougernator” or “Muscle and Hustle.” In fact, he’d encourage the use of any of those nicknames.
But there’s one nickname that Martin doesn’t like.
“Muscle Hamster has to stop,” Martin said in a very firm tone.
June 2015: “Doug Martin wants to lose ‘Muscle Hamster’ forever”
“The name ‘Muscle Hamster’ is the worst nickname possibly ever given to somebody,” Martin told USA Today at Bucs minicamp on Wednesday. “I hope it changes, and I hope that I play to a level where my nickname changes. That’s what my goals are.”
August 2015: “Can you refrain from using that name please?”
For three long years Martin has told people he hates that nickname. Yet on Monday, the NFL tweeted this.
Doug Martin. Currently bouncing off defenders and breaking tackles like 2012 Muscle Hamster. #CINvsTB http://t.co/561EEXaAmm
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2015 Martin was not having it.
@NFL Appreciate the shout out but can you refrain from using that name please?
— Doug Martin (@DougMartin22) August 26, 2015 Can we all finally agree and let Martin off the proverbial Muscle Hamster wheel he’s been stuck on for the last few years? It’s not even a good nickname. It’s weird. Stop using it.
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