Jean René Lacoste (; 2 July 1904 – 12 October 1996) was a French tennis player and businessman. He was nicknamed "the Alligator"(http://www.lacoste.com/us/about/timeline.html) Critical press acclaim for Rene Lacoste's strength and performance quickly follow. Hearing of a bet over an alligator skin suitcase, a journalist nicknames him the "Alligator"(added 1/21/2016). ; the first crocodile: Inspired by his nickname, Lacoste asks his friend Robert George to design a crocodile. The now famous logo makes its first appearance embroidered on the blazer of René Lacoste. Lacoste tennis shirt, which he introduced in 1929.