Where did "Sexy Dexy" come from? Dexter Lawrence reveals the origin of his nickname to Bengals fans

Dexter Lawrence is a towering force to be reckoned with on the football field, but his nickname is anything but threatening. Lawrence explained to Cincinnati Bengals media members where “Sexy Dexy” came from.

Dexter Lawrence is the Cincinnati Bengals’ newest player, and he has one of the more interesting nicknames in the NFL.

Lawrence, an eighth-year player entering 2026, is also known as “Sexy Dexy.” The 6-4, 342 pound defensive tackle even has his own signature dance to go along with it.

But where did that nickname come from? It arrived closer to Lawrence’s birth compared to now.

Dexter Lawrence explains where “Sexy Dexy” came from

Lawrence is 28 years old and has been a large presence on the football field for his entire career. Even in middle school, which is when the three-time Pro Bowler says his nickname first surfaced.

“So in middle school, seventh grade, my middle school coach, Coach Klein, he just came up to me one day. He had the deepest voice. He was like, ‘Sexy Dexy,'” Lawrence recalled in his introductory press conference. “Mad deep. Mad deep. It kind of stuck. It stuck somehow, some way, but it just carried on to now.”

The nickname really matches with the dance, which Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins notably busted out during the Pro Bowl Games back in February.

Bengals reunite two former Clemson Tigers

Higgins and Lawrence were teammates at Clemson from 2017-18. Lawrence entered the 2019 NFL Draft, and Higgins followed suit in the 2020 draft.

It took a precedent-breaking trade, but the two are back on the same team again. Lawrence is very excited about that.

“He’s like a brother to me for real,” Lawrence said of Higgins. “You know, he kind of left me alone during the situation you know, but he knows the respect I have for him. And, you know, like I said, we played together, we went together, so I want to continue that.”

Higgins is signed through the 2028 season with Cincinnati just like Lawrence now is following his one-year extension. They won a College Football Playoff National Championship together back in 2018, and will now embark on a goal to win a Super Bowl together before a decade passes since their triumph at Clemson.