Not just Etienne: These are the other NFL names you’re probably pronouncing wrong

NFL fans spend countless hours watching games, debating players and talking about their favorite teams. But some of the names can really trip people up. Not just fans, but announcers too. We just recently learned that we’ve all been pronouncing running back Travis Etienne Jr.’s last name wrong this whole time, and that got us thinking about the many other names people are probably getting wrong in the NFL.

NFL’s most mispronounced names - and how to actually say them

Travis Etienne Jr.

Obviously, we have to start here. The former Clemson standout explained that his last name was originally pronounced closer to “A-chan.”

Over the years, however, the pronunciation shifted toward the now-common “Eh-tee-EN.” The adjustment made things easier for coaches, broadcasters and teammates during his rise through college football and into the NFL.

The moment quickly went viral because fans noticed the pronunciation sounded almost identical to another running back...

De’Von Achane

Running back De’Von Achane has already gone through his own pronunciation clarification. When he entered the NFL, many broadcasters pronounced his name “A-chain.”

But Achane explained that the correct pronunciation is actually “AY-chan”. That’s why social media immediately began posting the famous Spider-Man pointing meme when Etienne’s explanation surfaced.

Tua Tagovailoa

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa might have the most famous pronunciation lesson in the NFL. The Dolphins star even released a phonetic guide early in his career to help fans and broadcasters get it right.

His last name is pronounced: “Tung-oh-vai-LOA.”

Despite the clarification, fans still struggle with it years later.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has one of the most unique names in football. “Amon-Ra” comes from Egyptian mythology, while “St. Brown” is a family surname chosen by his father.

The key pronunciation note: The first name is typically said “AH-mon-rah.” Once fans hear it correctly, it’s actually easier than it looks.

Odafe Oweh

Linebacker Odafe Oweh is another player whose name fans and even broadcasters have had to learn over time. When Oweh entered the NFL, many people were baffled by how to pronounce both his first and last name. The full, correct pronunciation of his name is “Uh-DOF-ay Oh-Way.”

The Ravens pass rusher was born Odafe Jayson Oweh, though earlier in his career at Penn State Nittany Lions football he went by Jayson Oweh. Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, he decided to switch back to using his given first name, saying it was important to embrace his Nigerian heritage. Since then, broadcasters have made an effort to pronounce his name correctly.

With players coming from different cultures, languages and backgrounds, the NFL has always been full of names that challenge broadcasters and fans alike. Sometimes the pronunciation changes simply because it’s easier for people to say.

Other times, like the recent Etienne-Achane comparison, the internet turns the moment into a viral meme. Either way, the next time you hear one of these names on a broadcast, there’s a good chance you’ll be listening a little more carefully.

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