The Detroit Lions’ backfield has been tearing up defenses, but fans aren’t just calling Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery one of the NFL’s best one-two punches — they’ve given them a nickname straight out of a 90s video game classic: “Sonic and Knuckles.”
The comparison couldn’t be more fitting. Gibbs, known for his explosive burst and lightning speed, embodies Sonic the Hedgehog, while Montgomery — the powerhouse runner who bulldozes through defenders — represents Knuckles, the tough, relentless sidekick.
The nickname first started among fans online and quickly gained traction in the locker room. Even teammates have leaned into it, joking that when Gibbs and Montgomery share the field, “it’s like watching a video game come to life.”
Together, they’ve created a perfect blend of speed and strength that’s made Detroit’s run game one of the most dangerous in football. Whether it’s Gibbs breaking off a 50-yard sprint or Montgomery powering through tackles near the goal line, the duo has become the Lions’ heartbeat — and now, their most popular pop-culture pairing.
Detroit might just be the only NFL team where a Sega-inspired backfield is helping fuel a Super Bowl run.
“Sonic & Knuckles”: The Hilarious Story Behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery’s New Nickname
