Nicknames were a big topic of conversation during Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Darwin Thompson’s media availability today. It all began when a reporter asked Thompson what it’s like catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. From there, things spiraled out of control a bit.
“You know those Jug machines we’re on at practice,” Thompson said. “That’s a real-life Jug machine. That’s Patrick Mahomes.”
We all know, of course, that Mahomes has the reputation of having a cannon for an arm. Those JUGS machines can launch the ball pretty hard and far, so this is a pretty accurate nickname. The reporters at camp certainly enjoyed it, and it led them to ask him some more nickname themed questions later in Thompson’s interview. He was even asked if he had a nickname.
“Yes, ma’am. D-Train,” Thompson said.
Later, after Thompson said he had a train and train track tattooed on his shin, he explained where the nickname comes from. Thompson noted that a common misconception is that it’s about the way that he runs the football.
“The train tracks is God’s plan,” Thompson said. “The train is my lifestyle that comes with it. And I’m the conductor of this lifestyle that I’m living. That’s where ‘D-Train’ comes from. It’s not really about the way I run, it’s how I train to prepare for football. Just how I take it so seriously. I mean, my conscious messes with me every day. I can’t miss a rep; I’ve got to go full speed. Somebody is out there ready to take my spot.”
That’s a pretty cool background story to his nickname — you can tell that it’s about more than just football.
Thompson also added that Tyreek Hill’s nickname, “Cheetah,” is the best moniker for anybody on the team. He gave some credit to himself for the new nickname for Mahomes as well.
Will he come up with anymore cool and meaningful nicknames as the season progresses?
