When you talk about Darrelle Revis, you have to mention “Hall of Famer” now. Not only that, you have to allude to him as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, putting him amongst the rarest of those who have ever played the game of football. The former NFL cornerback was one of the greatest to ever do it, and as a result, his legacy will live on forever.
Before Revis ever threw on a gold jacket and joined his rightful place in the halls of Canton, Ohio, he earned a nickname on the field — one that has stuck with him and has every aspiring CB hoping they get talked about in the same light. “Revis Island” has a population of one, and the name was earned, not given.
What Is Revis Island?
The nickname for a cornerback is almost self-explanatory: When you lined up across from Revis on game day, you were going to end up on an island with no help whatsoever. When Revis was assigned to play man coverage against a wide receiver, it was typically a long day for said WR.
Revis Island took on a world of its own, and once the name gained traction, the reputation was set in stone for the rest of the league to fear.
How Did Revis Island Get Started?
While there was no specific time when the nickname was declared, it might have been Revis himself who got the island name attached to him forever when he met with the media one day.
MORE: Did Darrelle Revis Win a Super Bowl?
Revis told ESPN, “I recall a media session, and I kind of said, ‘I’m on an island. I feel like I’m alone out there.’ Then it just stuck. It ended up turning into a household name.” From there the rest was history as media and fans alike took the moment and ran with it.
Darrelle Revis Was Out of This World
It is hard to quantify the impact of a cornerback as most of it is felt from the inactivity and the avoidance of them altogether. Not many dared try Revis on Sunday as they opted to press their luck against the other cornerbacks and defensive options around him.
However, throughout Revis’s career, he tallied 29 interceptions and 139 pass deflections as well as being a four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro-Bowler.
His ability to line up against a team’s No. 1 wide receiver week in and week out and completely neutralize them from the game was the truest definition of a lockdown cornerback.
There have been many great cornerbacks to come into the NFL, and there surely are more on the way. However, not many, if any, have had the impact that Revis has had during his tenure.
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