Bowling Green’s newest linebacker, Gideon Lampron, has the most unique middle name in college, and probably in all of sports.
The former Dayton LB is actually named after The Worldwide Leader in Sports, with his dad sneakily giving him the name “ESPN” shortly after he was born.
This isn’t a joke; he’s really named Gideon ESPN Lampron. It’s on his birth certificate, as well as his Falcons roster page.
Lampron started college as a zero-star recruit in the FCS. He spent three years at Dayton and got his first bit of playing time in 2023 after redshirting in 2022.
While he only made one start, he ended the season with 51 tackles, 32 of which came in the final five games of the campaign.
He went on to make 99 total tackles, 56 of them solo, 23.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles in 2024.
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Lampron was named to the Football Championship Subdivision All-American First Team by the Associated Press last season, and his exploits have seen him land an opportunity to move to the FBS. He received offers from over 10 schools. Kent State, UTEP, Ball State, and Eastern Michigan were among those who came knocking, but he wound up choosing Bowling Green.
How Gideon Lampron Ended Up With ESPN As A Middle Name
Gideon’s father wanted to name him Larry Bird because he grew up in Boston, but his wife wouldn’t allow it. She didn’t go for ESPN either – as luck would have it, she was “out of it” after giving birth, allowing his father to sneak the name in on the hospital forms.
“When she woke up, I told her I did it, and she said, ‘No, you didn’t.” She didn’t realize I did it. She wasn’t happy with me,” Marty Lampron admitted, per Dayton Daily News.
Men and their sports, right?
In case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced “ES-PEN.”
