COTTON ~ Because of his 'cottontop' fair hair as a boy.  Threw for an all-time team record 427 yards for the Oakland Raiders against the Denver Broncos in 1964.

Dallas Texans
Oakland Raiders
Quarterback

COOKIE ~ a childhood nickname because he loved cookies.  In 1962, he was the first 1,000-yard rusher in the American Football League, with 1,069 yards (14 games).

Buffalo Bills
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Fullback, Kicker

GOOSE ~ Probably from his last name.  An original Denver Bronco from Baylor, had 11 interceptions in his rookie year, 1960. Second team, All-Time All-AFL

Denver Broncos
Defensive Back

          More to come about 'Babe' Parilli, 'Bambi' Alworth, 'Wahoo' McDaniel, 'Smokey' Stover,  'Speedy' Duncan,  'Earthquake' Hunt, 'Golden Wheels' Dubenion, 'Big Cat' Ladd, 'Dancing Bear' McDole, the 'Mad Bomber', the 'Magician', 'Big Hoss' Warlick, 'Tombstone' Jackson, the 'Intellectual Assassin', the 'Baby-Faced Assassin', Walt 'Buffalo' Napier, etc.