When a childhood nickname fits and sticks, there are moments when it’s best to accept it. As such, wide receiver Nathaniel Dell of the Houston Texans is now officially known as “Tank.”
“Please note that the football name of Houston’s Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston (Player ID #55934) has been changed to Tank Dell,” the NFL transaction wire stated on Monday.
The Houston Chronicle claims that “Tank” is short for “Tankhead.” Bell’s head was significantly larger than his body at birth, so his mother Porsche gave him that name. The moniker endured.
With just 5 feet 8 inches and 165 pounds, Dell faced many doubters who believed his size would prevent him from succeeding in the NFL. Dell is proving his detractors wrong nine games into his rookie campaign by becoming one of Houston’s top receivers.
“I was walking around with two chips on my shoulder because of the extra motivation,” Dell stated. “God blesses me, and I just try my best and do what I have to do when I get the chance to go out there and perform in front of millions of people.”
In the Texans’ 21-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dell had a season-high 149 yards on eight receptions and broke the franchise rookie record with his sixth touchdown catch. He did so for the second time in as many games, breaking the team rookie record with 145 yards in Week 3.
With 659 receiving yards, he leads the team even though he missed one game due to a concussion. He is currently third among rookies from Houston in that category with seven games remaining, behind only Andre Johnson (976 yards in 2003) and DeAndre Hopkins (802 in 2013).
With 696 receiving yards to lead Houston, Nico Collins has expressed admiration for his fellow wide receiver.
Collins declared, “Man, it doesn’t matter how big you are—what matters is your heart and mindset.” “Tank’s a dog, and it shows, and things will only get better for him.”
After Dell finished his career with the Houston Cougars, where he played for two straight seasons with 1,300 yards, the Texans traded up to select him in the third round with the 69th pick. During his three years at Houston, he caught 32 touchdowns.