Eastern Michigan got a commitment from a three-star linebacker Friday, and he’s already made headlines and caused a social media buzz, extremely unusual for a recruit of that caliber.
It’s all the result of his unusual last name.
Noah Knigga.
Quick pronunciation guide for that name, via the recruit himself: ka-nay-guh.
Yet that name has already sparked juvenile jokes online, and it’s also caught the attention of broadcasters who are wary of the trouble they could incur by mispronouncing it, no matter how innocent their mistake.
In fact, Eastern Michigan Eagles play-by-play announcer Tom Helmer mentioned that very prospect, in a post on his Hooked on Helmets TikTok account.
“The jokes have been flying online about this player’s last name,” Helmer said. “He recently committed to play football at Eastern Michigan, and people are joking that his name is going to get a broadcaster fired.”
Helmer cited one X post in particular, from NFL Memes.
“The proper pronunciation of his name is Noah kuh-nig-uh,” Helmer said, actually mispronouncing it slightly. “Some people seem to have very little faith in me though. NFL Memes posted, “Rest in peace, Eastern Michigan broadcasters.”
“I will say, my pronunciation skills this season will be the best in the nation, bar none,” Helmer said.
When Knigga’s name started making headlines, he and his family sat down for an interview with ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III, and the Class of 2025 prospect talked about his name, and the proper pronunciation.
Knigga would undoubtedly rather be making headlines at Eastern Michigan with his play on the field, rather than his unusual name. But you can expect the jokes to follow him during his college career.
[HookedonHelmets, Photo Credit: Robert Griffin III on X]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.