You’re watching a Washington Commanders game and you hear the announcer mention a guy named "Bill." You look at the roster. There isn’t a Bill. There is, however, a Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
It’s one of those sports mysteries that makes you do a double-take. Why is a professional NFL running back, a man who survived the brutal gauntlet of college transfers and NCAA eligibility nightmares, being called a name that isn't on his birth certificate?
Honestly, the answer is a lot simpler—and a lot more nostalgic—than some complex legal theory or secret family lineage. It's about a cartoon.
The Origin Story: Little Bill and a Shaved Head
Most people assume "Bill" is just a shortened version of a middle name or some inside joke from the locker room. It's actually a childhood relic.
Growing up in Montgomery, Alabama, Jacory was a kid who kept his hair cut extremely short—basically a shaved head. Combine that near-bald look with a huge, constant smile, and his friends and family couldn't help themselves. They started calling him "Little Bill," after the title character in the Nick Jr. animated series created by Bill Cosby in the late '90s.
It stuck. Hard.
By the time he was playing at Sidney Lanier High School, he wasn't Jacory; he was Bill. When he got to Alabama State, his teammates didn't even know his real name for months. His coach at the time, Eddie Robinson Jr., once admitted in an interview that he spent half a season wondering who the "Bill" was that everyone kept talking about on the sidelines.
Why the Nickname Matters Now
You might think a guy would want to drop a cartoon-inspired nickname once he hits the big leagues. Nope. Not Bill.
In 2025, after being drafted by the Washington Commanders, he made it official. He told broadcasters and the team that he prefers to be called Bill. ESPN’s Adam Schefter even noted that the rookie wanted to be referred to as Bill Croskey-Merritt on air.
It’s a branding move, sure, but it’s also a sign of his personality. He’s a guy who plays with a "violent" running style—explosive, punishing, and relentless—but carries himself with the same cheerful energy that earned him the nickname as a kid.
The "Bill" Legend Grows in D.C.
Fans in Washington have already embraced it. If you browse through Commanders forums or Twitter during a game, you’ll see the "BILL BILL BILL" chants (a nod to Bill Nye the Science Guy) every time he breaks a tackle.
The Bizarre Path to the NFL
The nickname is lighthearted, but his journey to the pros was anything but. To understand why he’s such a cult hero now, you have to look at the "eligibility saga" that almost ended his career at Arizona.
After a monster season at New Mexico in 2023—where he rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns—he transferred to Arizona. He played one game, put up 106 yards, and then... nothing.
The NCAA pulled him off the field.
The issue was a weird clerical discrepancy from his freshman year at Alabama State back in 2019. The NCAA claimed he had played in too many games to redshirt. Croskey-Merritt’s camp argued that another player had worn his No. 21 jersey in those games after he’d already shut it down for the season.
Basically, the NCAA credited him for someone else’s snaps.
Instead of quitting, Bill stayed at Arizona. He practiced every day. He ran on the scout team. He didn't complain. That "stay-ready" mentality is exactly why Washington took a flyer on him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
What This Means for You
If you're a fantasy football player or a Commanders fan, knowing the story behind the name tells you a lot about the player. He's resilient. He's got a sense of humor. And he’s definitely not a "zero-star recruit" anymore.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Roster: Look for No. 22. If the broadcast says "Jacory," just know the real ones are calling him Bill.
- Fantasy Value: He's shown he can handle a heavy workload. If you're in a deep league, he's a prime "sleeper" candidate because of his efficiency.
- Keep an Eye on the Rules: His story is a prime example of why NCAA eligibility reform is constantly in the news.
He might be named after a cartoon character, but the way he plays is anything but child's play.