Former NHL hockey player , Mario Lemieux was given the nickname `` Super Mario '' by the media during his career . Mario Williams , the # 1 draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft , was also given the nickname `` Super Mario '' , as was pro-cyclist , Mario Cipollini . Many sports stars , including NHL hockey player Mario Lemieux , NFL football player Mario Williams , and Italian cycling star Mario Cipollini have been given the nickname `` Super Mario '' .