Why are Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery known as Sonic and Knuckles?

The Detroit Lions are the best team in the football right now.

With 11 wins and one loss, they share the best record in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs – but have been winning games in far more comfortable fashion.

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The Chiefs have been walking a tightrope all season, with nine of their 11 victories coming in one-score games.

Detroit, meanwhile, have put up more than 40 points in four of their games so far and their offense looks like the most exciting in the league.

Much of the success has been down to their impressive ground game, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery forming one the most feared running back tandems in the NFL.

They are so good as a duo, that they already have a rather unique nickname.

Gibbs and Montgomery, who have 21 rushing touchdowns between them, are going by ‘Sonic and Knuckles’.

But how exactly did they get their moniker?

Why Gibbs and Montgomery are known as ‘Sonic and Knuckles’

Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery gave the duo the nickname, which is inspired by the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, back in October.

Sonic, the main character, is a blue hedgehog is known for his speed.

Knuckles meanwhile, is one of Sonic’s former rivals-turned-friend, and the red echidna is more known for his using his brute force and strength.

In terms of the Lions running back room, Gibbs represents Sonic as the faster of the pair, while Montgomery is Knuckles due to his toughness and physicality.

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“It’s official now, I’ve been warned that that’s what they want to be called – ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ are doing what we ask them to do,” coach Montgomery said ahead of Week 7.

“As you can see, if you watch David, he is a huge fan of cartoons and Disney channels and ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ and the speed and then also the brashness of Knuckles.

“Of course, I knew about it because I have children, right? So ‘Sonic and Knuckles,’ I think it works well. They love it, so I’m gonna run with it.”

Last year, the RB coach dubbed the duo ‘peanut butter and jelly’ – but it never took off.

‘Sonic and Knuckles’ though, has got the league on notice.

Gibbs and Montgomery have certainly leaned into their nickname too, and on Thanksgiving, were seen rocking custom video game-inspired cleats, as well as meeting with the mascots.

“I would say it’s pretty accurate, but I would say in some ways, we could change roles, depending on situations,” Gibbs said of the nickname last month.

‘Sonic and Knuckles’ joined forces for Detroit in the spring of 2023.

That March Montgomery, a former third-round pick, joined the Lions on a three-year, $18 million deal.

A month later, Detroit selected Gibbs, a playmaker from Alabama, with the No. 12 pick of the draft.

“Since the first time I got here, the first time we started talking, I could tell he was different,” Gibbs said of Montgomery.

“He wanted the best for me, and I wanted the best for him. Ever since then, we’ve been locked in.”

With 1,693 rushing yards between them this season, Gibbs and Montgomery are perfectly complimenting the passing attack of Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

And with the joint-best record in the NFL, they are looking to deliver the Lions their first-ever Super Bowl.

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