The annual ESPN Body Issue is out and the debate is on again (if seemingly less raging) about whether the nude shots of athletes is a glorification of the human form or a base and salacious commercial grab.
I see no reason why it can’t be considered both. To me the real scandal this year is that there are two boxers, ah, exposed, two footballers, two snowboarders, two soccer players, two tennis stars. But from the world of golf? Not a single buttock! Where is the outrage?
We had Gary Player and Carly Booth in last year’s issue, and Suzann Pettersen in the 2012 issue. But this year? Squat.
There are some arresting images, like that of Olympic hockey player Hilary Knight by Martin Schoeller:
Hilary Knight
Or arresting and startling like that of Paralympic athlete Amy Purdy (ESPN):
Amy Purdy
Arresting and startling in another way is the shot of Prince Fielder by Alexei Hay:
Prince Fielder
Heck, if they were going to shoot Fielder, why not Kevin Stadler or Lumpy Herron? Maybe their tats aren’t as good.
