There may not be a more dynamic or productive running back duo in the NFL than the Detroit Lions’ tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
You can also argue there may not be a better RB tandem nickname out there than the one they came up with themselves.
What is their nickname and how did it come to be?
Explaining the Sonic and Knuckles Nickname for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery
The inspiration for Gibbs’ and Montgomery’s nickname comes from the classic video game Sonic the Hedgehog. The series features Sonic, a character known for his speed and quickness, and Knuckles, a character more known for his power and brute force.
The Lions’ running back tandem embodies these same traits, and thus, have embraced the nickname of Sonic and Knuckles.
Gibbs is more known for his agility, speed, and dual-threat capability as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield, whereas Montgomery is known more for his downhill running style and power-rushing prowess.
The nickname is self-ascribed, but it’s catching on quite a bit. So much so, in fact, that CBS Sports even features the duo and their nickname in a commercial promoting today’s Thanksgiving Day game between the Lions and the Chicago Bears.
Gibbs and Montgomery Featured in CBS Sports’ ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ Commercial
The Sonic and Knuckles nickname for Gibbs and Montgomery pays homage to the classic video games series. And now CBS Sports has created a commercial as a hat tip to the nickname.
In the commercial, Lions’ running backs coach Scott Montgomery is admonishing Gibbs, who is referred to as “Jah”, and Montgomery, who is referred to as “D-Mo”, for antics inside the Lions’ practice facility.
But rather than Gibbs and Montgomery being shown in front of their coach, it’s the animated characters of Sonic and Knuckles.
Sonic is being reprimanded for leaving rings all over the practice facility, while Knuckles is being corrected for smashing everything he touches. In the video game series, Sonic is charged with collecting as many rings as possible, while Knuckles has a penchant for ruining anything that’s in his path.
Having Sonic and Knuckles on your team isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 😆 pic.twitter.com/Vz2lVvUPNJ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2024
With Sonic and Knuckles not responding to the criticism, Coach Montgomery pleads for their attention. It’s at that point when the animated characters of Sonic and Knuckles turn into the Lions’ real-life running backs, Gibbs and Montgomery.
Coach Montgomery leaves the RB duo with one final admonishment, saying: “Guys, come on. We need you on Thanksgiving!”
As their coach leaves, the pair look at each other. Montgomery asks Gibbs if he had another Sonic and Knuckles dream.
Gibbs acknowledges so, and the pair dab each other up as the commercial fades out and a promotion of the Bears-Lions game on CBS appears.
Real-Life Impact of Gibbs and Montgomery on Lions’ Offense
The playfulness of the nickname and commercial aside, Gibbs and Montgomery have been a serious problem for Detroit’s opponents in the last two seasons.
Gibbs was the 12th overall pick by Detroit in the 2023 NFL Draft and made an instant and profound impact. He tallied 1,261 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, becoming a key part of a Lions offense that helped the team win an NFC North title.
The 2023 season was also Montgomery’s first with Detroit after signing with the Lions as a priority free agent in the offseason. He finished the year with 1,015 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.
It’s been more of the same for the tandem this season.