Devante "Fridge" Gardner

[superfan1387]

I'm pushing for this nickname. I think everyone should support it. Devante "Fridge" Gardner is a stud and will make everyone forget about Trevor Mbakwe, Pat Hazel, Jamil Lot, etc...

[muarmy81]

It's OX.

[MUCrew]

It's OX.

+1

[Markusquette]

His first name is spelled Davante, not Devonte.  I'm just saying that since his name is misspelled in the SOTG box.  I like his nickname OX anyway.

[Nukem2]

Besides, he has slimmed dpwn too much to be called Fridge anyway. 

[cheebs09]

Besides, he has slimmed dpwn too much to be called Fridge anyway. 

Mini-Fridge?? I'd go with Ox still though. He puts his head down and finds away to score. Anyone know the reason Homer and George call him the "Artist"?

[ceh]

I thought he didn't like being called Ox

[GGGG]

He went by "Ox" on his own FB page.  Must be a new thing.

[downtown85]

Homer was calling him "The Beast" on the radio (at least the part of it that was broadcast).

[bobnoxious]

I think we should go with "hungry hungry hippo" due to his hustle on the boards

[krmscl1]

Ox is OK...  Fridge has a nice ring to it, superfan.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I think it's lame to try and come up with a new nickname for a guy already called the Ox.  That's a great name that fits and he obviously likes it!  GO OX!!!

[Daniel]

I don't think he liked THE Ox, or The Big Ox or something, but Ox is fine.

Homer on the radio is now calling him "The Artist" lol.

Go Davante and GO MARQUETTE!

[Dr. Blackheart]

The freshman duo:  Blue Ox

[Novak4Three]

FRIDGE!!

[timinatorx3]

Put me down for "The Fridge" I believe "The Fridge" best captures the legendary aura he carries around like a shadow.

[GGGG]

Fridge is a terrible nickname.  He's been Ox since high school.  He is Ox in the SOTG picture.

[w0bbie]

Fridge is unoriginal.  Plus, he's got a much more diverse skill set and agility than your average Kenmore.  I don't know how agile your average ox is but I'm sure its more than an inanimate object.  Plus you don't mess with an established nickname. OX all the way.

[wyoMUfan]

I like "the artist" but agree that Ox is the original and has a nice ring to it.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The freshman duo:  Blue Ox

Babe, Paul Bunyan's Blue Ox

[Novak4Three]

FRIDGE!!

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

OX!!

[timinatorx3]

Fridge is unoriginal.  Plus, he's got a much more diverse skill set and agility than your average Kenmore.  I don't know how agile your average ox is but I'm sure its more than an inanimate object.  Plus you don't mess with an established nickname. OX all the way.

I agree with this, but I think that is the beauty of "The Fridge." It is both ironic and accurate at the same time.

[wardle2wade]

I'm pushing for this nickname. I think everyone should support it. Devante "Fridge" Gardner is a stud and will make everyone forget about Trevor Mbakwe, Pat Hazel, Jamil Lot, etc...

It should be Ox by a mile.... Fridge is pretty much blah.  I think everyone's forgotten about those 3, but Davante makes us remember Robert Jackson.  This kid looks like a stud... love the confidence, he's gonna get the calls going up strong like that. 

[77ncaachamps]

JELLO!

j/k

Sticking with "Ox" as his nickname will bring a whole new meaning when someone says to him, "What up, D.O.G.?!?'

[Dr. Blackheart]

Babe, Paul Bunyan's Blue Ox

Wow...Babe is really hung like The Ox  

[timinatorx3]

Wow...Babe is really hung like The Ox  

lololololol

[Novak4Three]

FRIDGE!!

[mviale]

I thought he didn't like being called Ox

Homer was calling him the beast

[MUEng92]

I don't want him to have a nickname that instantly elicits profanity, anger and general nauseousness when I hear it.  Plus, the Fridge name is already taken.

On the other hand, Ox is a pretty cool nickname

[spiral97]

His first name is spelled Davante, not Devonte.  I'm just saying that since his name is misspelled in the SOTG box.

mea culpa.. wouldn't want to mess with no one nicknamed Ox...

[superfan1387]

I just don't believe you should call a Stud of the Game a big dumb animal, unless you are quoting Tommy Boy. The Fridge will always be in our hearts and minds.

[4everwarriors]

Wow...Babe is really hung like The Ox 

Nah, ZFB tells all the chicks, he is.

[bilsu]

His high school nickname was "big ox"

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Ox by a mile!

[bma725]

His high school nickname was "big ox"

No, his high school nicknames were Ox or Big Self. 

[warriors1991]

"Ox" for sure!! I'm sure you can all hear the entire Bradley Center yelling 'OXXXXXXXXXXX' any time he makes a great play.

Is he quickly becoming a fan favorite? Not that the fans don't like Blue, etc., but seems like there's always a player that just endears himself to the fans and gets the love in the Bradley.

Go Ox!!!

[spiral97]

Not sure how to stretch an 'X' without it sounding like an odd quiet 'S'... might I suggest we stretch the 'ah' part instead?

[rocky_warrior]

might I suggest we stretch the 'ah' part instead?

Isn't that just called screaming?

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!X

[reinko]

Not sure how to stretch an 'X' without it sounding like an odd quiet 'S'... might I suggest we stretch the 'ah' part instead?

Who just really quick loud spurts...

OX! OX! OX! OX! OX! OX! OX! OX!

[Benny B]

"Ox" for sure!! I'm sure you can all hear the entire Bradley Center yelling 'OXXXXXXXXXXX' any time he makes a great play.

Is he quickly becoming a fan favorite? Not that the fans don't like Blue, etc., but seems like there's always a player that just endears himself to the fans and gets the love in the Bradley.

Go Ox!!!

Any impact big is going to be an immediate fan favorite at the BC.

[mileskishnish72]

When someone comes along with a nickname as cool as "Ox" - don't mess with it.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Homer was calling him the beast

Tony Smith, started it.

[Daniel]

When someone comes along with a nickname as cool as "Ox" - don't mess with it.

+1.  And he likes it.  Ox it is!

Go Ox!  Go MARQUETTE!

[Mr. Nielsen]

+1.  And he likes it.  Ox it is!

Go Ox!  Go MARQUETTE!

Buzz calls him, Day Day

[downtown85]

DG is a lean mean fightin' machine..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clwjOG61og8

[bedinger412]

Fridge for sure ... the kid was so cool at the free throw line, he was playing like he had ice in his veins
... plus we're Marquette, we're known for giving people nicknames, not having them handed to us

[brewcity77]

I don't even think there's a conversation here. His nickname is "Ox", or "Big Ox". The Fridge is a retired Chicago Bear. End of story.

[w0bbie]

+1.  this thread should be locked on that note

[Dawson Rental]

Please allow me a couple of further comments before we shut down wObbie.

1.  The original "fridge', William Perry, had a gold refrigerator implanted in one of his front teeth.  How does Davante do that without getting himself immersed in an NCAA investigation?

2.  "Fridge" and "happy happy hippo" emphasize Davante's size with the implication that he's overweight.  Since he came to Marquette, Davante's worked hard to drop weight so that he can be an effective player, something Perry was never willing to do.  Let's not stick him with a nickname that reminds everyone of what his problem was.

3.  I like "the artist".  I get it, Homer's pointing out one of Davante's best qualities - the way he reads his defender to find the best path to the basket.

[john_cocktoasten]

Can play and he's here to stay

[w0bbie]

No problem Murs.  You're right, I jumped the gun a bit.  I'm willing to have a good discussion about nickname as long as "Fridge" is not in the mix.  To me "Fridge" is and will always be Richard Perry.  I'm not a Bears fan or a huge NFL fan but I am familiar with Mr. Perry.  I think this is in large part due to his unique and fitting nickname.  Without the very memorable moniker that differentiates him in my mind, I don't think I would remember Richard Perry's career as clearly.  I would consider "Fridge" to be one of the more widely recognized and iconic nicknames in sports (http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/footnickname/010614.html).  Nicknames like this that are so closely associated with one individual should be reserved for said individual.  Just like you retire a number of an all-time great, a legendary nickname should also be retired.  There will never be another "His Airness," "The Big Unit," "Sweetness," "Magic" "Prime Time" etc.  Assigning a recognizable nickname to someone else seems lazy and rude to the original athlete in my mind.

I know you mentioned not wanting to emphasize his weight in HS in the nickname, and I think that is fair.  In my opinion, Ox doesn't so much allude to his weight but rather his overall size, width, and strength.  I realize that his hands, feet, soft touch, and skill set are outstanding and crucial to his success.  However, if these aren't combined with his size and strength, he wouldn't be as effective as a player.  I don't know how Davante feels about the Ox as a nickname, but if he's not offended by it, it gets my vote.

[superfan1387]

Fridge applies to Gardner because of his size, post presence and his poise at the free throw line and in a clutch situation. Another poster called it his “coolness” at the line.

Also William Perry, was not “Fridge”, rather “The Refrigerator”. There is a difference between Davante “Fridge” Gardner and William “The Refrigerator” Perry. When I made the thread I was trying to start a conversation on a nickname for a freshmen, not start some kind of Bears/Packers argument.

If "Fridge" doesn't stick, can we go with his "Airness" or "The Sultan of Swat"

[brewcity77]

To me "Fridge" is and will always be Richard Perry.  I'm not a Bears fan or a huge NFL fan but I am familiar with Mr. Perry.

As noted, it was William, not Richard.

And for superfan1387, sorry, but no. Yes, it was William "The Refrigerator" Perry, but if you were alive in the 1980s and heard someone say "Did you see what The Fridge did yesterday?" on a Monday morning, you knew they were talking about William Perry. Both the names "The Refrigerator" and "Fridge" were synonymous with William Perry. And it's not a Bears/Packers thing, but simply a mass culture thing. Just google "The Fridge". You get a business in DC, a website called Fridge, and then, of course, William Perry's wikipedia page. There is and always will be only one Fridge, and it's William Perry. I said it before, and now must apparently say it again, that is the end of the story. Fridge = William Perry, now and forever.

[brewcity77]

And as Perry himself said in the brilliant musical masterpiece, the 1985 hit song "The Superbowl Shuffle"...

You're lookin' at The Fridge,
I'm the rookie.
I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie.
You've seen me hit, you've seen me run,
When I get the pass, we'll have more fun.
I can dance, you will see
The others, they all learn from me.
I didn't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just came here to do
The Super Bowl Shuffle.

[w0bbie]

As noted, it was William, not Richard.

And for superfan1387, sorry, but no. Yes, it was William "The Refrigerator" Perry, but if you were alive in the 1980s and heard someone say "Did you see what The Fridge did yesterday?" on a Monday morning, you knew they were talking about William Perry. Both the names "The Refrigerator" and "Fridge" were synonymous with William Perry. And it's not a Bears/Packers thing, but simply a mass culture thing. Just google "The Fridge". You get a business in DC, a website called Fridge, and then, of course, William Perry's wikipedia page. There is and always will be only one Fridge, and it's William Perry. I said it before, and now must apparently say it again, that is the end of the story. Fridge = William Perry, now and forever.

My bad about screwing up his first name.  Like I said, it's the nickname that makes him memorable to me.  Thanks for backing me up brewcity.  We basically have the same idea, I think you just stated it more clearly.  superfan, I wasn't trying to make it into a Bears/Packers thing.  I don't particularly like either team (I'm from Iowa and would rather watch the Hawkeyes look promising and then blow a few games every year).  The "Fridge" applying to his coolness under pressure is something I guess I wasn't thinking of, but I don't think two non-con games warrant him being labled as a clutch guy just yet.  Anyways, there are other big and cold things that aren't already an established nickname of some other athlete.  Off the top of my head, the Yeti?

[rocky_warrior]

1) Strong as an Ox

2) Nicknamed “The Refrigerator” for his gargantuan, square-like frame


Which would you rather be compared to.  I think this is easy folks. 

[Skatastrophy]

Ox is nowhere near big enough to be called Fridge

[Benny B]

Did any of you see Ox in the paint yesterday.  He didn't just have his hands out when he wanted the ball, his face demanded it. 

A "fridge" sits in the corner and is only relevant when you want something from it.

An "Ox" stands alert, anxiously waiting for someone to hitch a cart to his back.

There's no question here, people.  DG is an Ox.  He isn't some appliance you buy your wife for your 14th anniversary.

[nyg]

BTW, is he really 295 lbs.????

[Windyplayer]

Are there three pages of posts about Gardner's nickname if he didn't have two big games to open the season? Probably not...but who cares. Hopefully, he can build of this early season success. That said, Go Ox! Destroy the Plumlee brothers!

[SalsaMan]

Wow...Babe is really hung like The Ox  

Hung? To quote Sgt Nick Penis, "Poor boys, they still measure in inches..."

[Dawson Rental]

No problem Murs.  You're right, I jumped the gun a bit.  I'm willing to have a good discussion about nickname as long as "Fridge" is not in the mix.  To me "Fridge" is and will always be Richard Perry.  I'm not a Bears fan or a huge NFL fan but I am familiar with Mr. Perry.  I think this is in large part due to his unique and fitting nickname.  Without the very memorable moniker that differentiates him in my mind, I don't think I would remember Richard Perry's career as clearly.  I would consider "Fridge" to be one of the more widely recognized and iconic nicknames in sports (http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/footnickname/010614.html).  Nicknames like this that are so closely associated with one individual should be reserved for said individual.  Just like you retire a number of an all-time great, a legendary nickname should also be retired.  There will never be another "His Airness," "The Big Unit," "Sweetness," "Magic" "Prime Time" etc.  Assigning a recognizable nickname to someone else seems lazy and rude to the original athlete in my mind.

I know you mentioned not wanting to emphasize his weight in HS in the nickname, and I think that is fair.  In my opinion, Ox doesn't so much allude to his weight but rather his overall size, width, and strength.  I realize that his hands, feet, soft touch, and skill set are outstanding and crucial to his success.  However, if these aren't combined with his size and strength, he wouldn't be as effective as a player.  I don't know how Davante feels about the Ox as a nickname, but if he's not offended by it, it gets my vote.

The Artful Ox

Snap, there it is!