NFL journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer will start on Sunday when the New England Patriots travel to Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers, the Patriots announced on Friday. Regular starter Mac Jones will be out of action, recovering from a high-ankle sprain sustained in Week 3.
Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater revealed earlier this week that Hoyer is actually named Axel. And no, it’s not a nod to legendary Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axl Rose.
The quarterback spoke about his name with reporters during a weekly media session.
“My dad’s name’s Axel. I know I saw [NFL.com reporter] Albert Breer thought that maybe it was like Beverly Hills Cop. It’s actually a family name,” Hoyer said, per Zack Cox, NESN. “It’s A-X-E-L. My dad’s from Germany, so I think it’s a pretty common name there. I think my mom gave him the OK, like, ‘We’ll name him Axel but I’m only going to call him Brian.’ That’s all I’ve ever known.”
The sports world was quick to react to the hilarious revelation:
“Axel Hoyer is the most QB1 name I’ve heard,” wrote Pete Blackburn.
“‘Thanks a lot Slater,’ Brian Hoyer remarks after being referred to as Axel,” reported Alex Barth.
“Let’s say Mac’s miraculous, ‘Day-to-day, my ankle injury felt awesome, thanks.’ approach has him ready to go this Sunday in Green Bay… I still want Hoyer at the podium Wednesday to answer why the hell he chose to go by Brian over Axel his whole life,” wrote George Balekji.
“I am not kidding that if he had gone by Axel Hoyer, he’d be a 2x All-Pro by now,” JR Radcliffe wrote.
“In case you’re wondering, Hoyer says his dad’s name was Axel. Says kids in school would make fun of him after roll call,” said Mark Daniels.
Axel Hoyer and the Patriots are 9.5-point underdogs on Sunday against the Packers.
[NESN]
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