Tennessee Titans cornerback Janoris Jenkins isn’t kidding when he says he wants to be called “Jackrabbit,” and the team has even obliged, listing him as “Jackrabbit Jenkins” on its official website and roster.
When asked why he won’t answer to Janoris, Jenkins simply replied, “I don’t like Janoris. It’s not my name,” per Ben Arthur of the Tennessean, who notes that Jenkins said this with a straight face.
Jenkins’ nickname, or as he considers it, his real name, was created back during college, where it was given to him by his head coach.
“When I first entered college, I entered in January (for) spring ball. I really didn’t know any plays when I went out there, but I was making a lot of plays,” Jenkins explained. “We got in the film room and my coach was just like, ‘You’re moving fast. You’re moving like a jackrabbit.’ Because where I’m from, we’re catching rabbits.”
When the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard caught wind of Jenkins being listed as “Jackrabbit” on Tennessee’s roster, he remembered the Janoris-Jackrabbit exchanges during the corner’s days with the New York Giants.
Commonplace exchange during his time with the #Giants:
Reporter: “Janoris, do you…”
Jenkins: “Jackrabbit.”
Reporter: “Excuse me?”
Jenkins: “That’s my name. Jackrabbit.”
The #Titans’ official website
: pic.twitter.com/6zqAtuz4Tl
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 3, 2021
Janoris, Jackrabbit, or whatever you want to call him, will play a huge role for the Titans in 2021, as he’s expected to man one of the starting outside cornerback spots.
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