ESPN THE MAGAZINE has released all six covers for this year’s Body Issue.
2014′s cover models are Jamie Anderson, Serge Ibaka, Venus Williams, Marshawn Lynch, Michael Phelps, and Prince Fielder.
ESPN says its body issue shows off the “vast potential of the human form” which is absolutely true. It is part of an athlete’s job to be in tremendous shape and it is incredible to see what the human body is capable of when it is pushed to its limits.
Olympic snowboarder Jamie Anderson told ESPN:
“I don’t think I’m your typical rock-hard ripped girl. But that’s what I love and embrace about myself. I feel good, but I always feel like I can be better. That’s what I thrive on.”
Serge Ibaka would always rather be in the gym. The NBA player told ESPN, “I wish I had more body parts that I could work out. If I had my way, I’d be in the gym all day.”
Tennis player Venus Williams has an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome that doesn’t allow her to work out as hard as she used to but she told ESPN:
“It’s a balance between pushing myself as much as I can and being reasonable about what I can achieve and what my body will tolerate.”
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch told ESPN: ”I got to show some love for the fat backs. Don’t matter if we don’t get love, as long as I give mine.”
But forget about Lynch’s back, look how much power there is in his thighs.
The most decorated Olympian in history Michael Phelps is used to being naked, “yeah, whatever, a Speedo doesn’t really hide that much anyway,” he told ESPN.
During his brief retirement, Phelps said he gained 25 pounds, but it’s obvious he dropped that quickly once he started working out again.
Texas Rangers player Prince Fielder has probably received the most attention for posing nude for this year’s Body Issue. While his build is a bit larger than the other athletes, but he proves that athletic bodies come in all sizes.
Fielder told ESPN:
“You don’t have to look like an Under Armour mannequin to be an athlete. A lot of people probably think I’m not athletic or don’t even try to work out or whatever, but I do. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you can’t be an athlete.”
You can check out some of the other athletes featured in the Body Issue of ESPN The Magazine here.
He wasn’t giving out after the “winner” in Galway… offside and a foul…. Karma… should have brought the same ref with them
@Mark Anthony McNally: whataboutery. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Now you know what the rest of us feel like Stephen
As a regular at loi matches the standard of refereeing is absolutely shocking the referee at the Derry v rovers match is one off the worst on a regular basis but he not alone the fai really needs to improve the training for these referees.I do not support any club in the league before people start saying this
He’s got a bench that would walk onto most teams in the league but he’s whining about the referee.
Pity about em.
No surprise here really as this ref from mayo clearly has a bit of history in terms of giving disgraceful decisions against rovers. Frankly, he should not be allowed to referee another game until (a) It is clear that he fully understands the rules of the
game and (b) The FAI are fully satisfied that he is going to perform his role fairly and squarely. Failing that, he is only going to continue to drag the reputation of his already tarnished profession through the dirt!!!!!
@T E: swings and roundabouts. Over the course of the season it goes for and against. Reference the Rovers fan on the other thread. And as someone else rightly said the standard of refereeing here is poor, but I also understand its a hard and mostly thankless job.