Why Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are known as “Sonic and Knuckles.”

A backfield that posts video game-like stats deserves a video game-inspired nickname.

That’s exactly what happened in the Detroit Lions backfield, as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery dominated all season long. Every great duo needs a nickname, something that was sorely missing before.

Unfortunately for Gibbs and Montgomery, the last name combination sounds like a law firm and is on par with “Jahmyr and David” when it comes to being left on the cutting room floor.

These running backs are not Batman and Robin, Buzz and Woody, or Bonnie and Clyde. They needed something better.

Just like Mac can’t go anywhere without cheese and bed can’t go without breakfast, Sonic needs Knuckles, just like Knuckles needs Sonic. This is how a new nickname was born, inspired by the classic video game of the 1990s.

NFL STATISTICS CENTER: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Here’s why the Lions’ running back duo got their nickname.

Why are Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery nicknamed Sonic and Knuckles?

While nicknames can often be ironic in the sense that a smaller person is referred to as “Biggie” in the same way that a larger person is often referred to as “tiny,” the duo’s nickname, which is inspired by video game characters from the 1990s, should be literal be taken.

The 22-year-old Gibbs is known as a speedster, which is why he is now called “Sonic,” while the 27-year-old Montgomery brings a physical style that makes him worthy of being called “Sonic.” Ankle.”

“Sonic and Knuckles,” the nickname, came about in October as a fun side effect of a magical Lions season. Gibbs and Montgomery have a palpable bond on and off the field that isn’t typically seen without each other. Both arrived in the Motor City ahead of the 2023 season, with Gibbs being drafted and Montgomery signing via free agency.

The 1-2 combo sounds like a vicious fighter in the ring, like nicknames assigned to a pair of actors in a buddy cop movie or the album name for the league’s best running back duo. That’s a big improvement over the “peanut butter and jelly” nickname given to Gibbs and Montgomery last season, which never really stuck.

It’s unclear who exactly gave the duo their new nickname. Both players said they were unsure where the nickname came from, adding that they had noticed the increased online attention that came with it.

Sonic and Knuckles have since embraced it, showing up to the Lions Thanksgiving game with the characters and wearing their-inspired cleats in their win over the Bears.

The pair also appeared in a CBS promo for the game, which featured Lions running backs and assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery.

In an age where initials and short names were used for nicknames, Sonic and Knuckles is a welcome addition. Now the rest of the league has to catch up.

Jahmyr Gibbs 40 times

Gibbs ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2023. He was tied for seventh-best but ranked second among running backs, finishing behind De’Von Achane, who ran a 4.32.

Former Titans running back Chris Johnson still holds the best 40-yard time for a running back, posting an impressive time of 4.24 in 2008. Regardless, Gibbs still has game-changing speed and lives up to the Sonic moniker.

Stats by Jahmyr Gibbs

It was a great second season for Gibbs. In just 12 games, the Lions running back is on pace to surpass his rookie year numbers. Gibbs carried the ball 163 times for 973 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He has 28 catches on 36 targets, totaling 282 yards and one touchdown.

David Montgomery bench press

While Montgomery is known for his strength, the running back doesn’t necessarily have the raw strength that many think. At the 2019 NFL Combine, he racked up 15 reps on the bench press, ranking outside the top 20 of running backs.

However, the 5-11 running back weighs 230 pounds and has a large frame that is difficult to manage. Paired with a physical running style, Montgomery has proven time and time again why he is well suited to the role of Knuckles in this nickname duo.

David Montgomery statistics

Montgomery is coming off a career year in his fifth season and is delivering again in his sixth NFL season. He totaled 720 rushing yards on 166 carries, scored 11 touchdowns on the ground and added 27 receptions on 29 targets for 277 yards through the air. He appears poised to set another career-high touchdown total with just five games left this season, surpassing the 13 he scored in 2023.

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

Why Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are known as “Sonic and Knuckles.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply