06 Jul 2017

ESPN’s Body Issue is here and it will give you all the feels!

(WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS NUDITY)

Cape Town – ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue is here and it is everything you hoped it would be.

14 women and 9 men stripped down and showed off their toned athletic bodies for the ninth edition of the special issue.

The 23 athletes include A.J. Andrews, Javier Báez, Brent Burns, Julian Edelman, Ezekiel Elliott, Kirstie Ennis, Julie and Zach Ertz, Malakai Fekitoa, Gus Kenworthy, Nneka Ogwumike, Joe Thornton, Ashley Wagner, Michelle Waterson, Novlene Williams-Mills, Caroline Wozniacki.

The final 6 athletes make up the US Women’s National Hockey team namely: Kacey Bellamy, Brianna Decker, Meghan Duggan, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Alex Rigsby.

SEE THE AMAZING PHOTOS FROM THE BODY ISSUE HERE: (WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS NUDITY)

"When I was first informed that I would have the opportunity to be in the ESPN Body Issue Magazine, there were a few big questions. Was posing nude appropriate, Christ-like, and would it set a good example for the young girls who looked up to me? Did posing nude fall into the Society's trap of it "being ok" for women to show off their body parts, and did this just go completely against my morals? I began to think hard about this looking at past women's' photos who were in the body issue when I realized that this may be an opportunity that empowers more than just myself. I prayed doing the body issue would be an opportunity to say to women and young girls, that regardless of what "society" says a woman should "act like" and "look like" it is important that females can be strong, powerful, and beautiful in their own skin. I hoped this was an opportunity to say to females it is not about "flaunting" your body parts to get attention but being sincerely proud of the body that God has given you. I prayed that I could motivate young girls to work hard physically with the no worries of having to look a certain way to "society" because it was something that I felt many struggled with. I prayed that I can show females that self-love is important and that "society" lies." alwaysaj.com • • • #BodyIssue #Women #WomenPower #empowerment #SocietyLies #SelfLove #ESPN #ajandrews #aj #glorytogod #ebony
A post shared by A.J. Andrews ? (@aj_andrews_) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:27pm PDT

ESPN Body Issue 2017
A post shared by Ezekiel Elliott (@ezekielelliott) on Jun 26, 2017 at 5:03am PDT

When @espn asked me to be apart of their #BodyIssue, I was honored. When I found out I made the cover, I actually cried. Initially, I was reluctant to make myself so vulnerable by sharing my story and taking the photos. People tell me I'm strong quite often, but really Im strong because of the people around me. This ones for every man, woman, or child facing some sort of adversity. You control your circumstances, they don't control you. Find your passion, and let it consume you. If a little one legged lady can climb rocks and chase mountains, I promise you, you can do whatever it is your heart desires. Thank you to everyone involved! #climbing #climbon #leftlegless On a lighter note, if you don't like butt cracks or tattoos, don't look! ??
A post shared by Kirstie Ennis (@kirstie_ennis) on Jun 30, 2017 at 4:48pm PDT

?Thrilled to take part in @espn Magazine Body Issue with my wife! So much fun for us & an honor to be included!
A post shared by Zach Ertz (@zachertz) on Jul 5, 2017 at 5:18pm PDT

Y'all wanted nudes? You got 'em! ?? So excited to finally get to show you guys my photos from the @ESPN Body Issue! Everything about this shoot was terrifying: I had to be naked, on a ski mountain, standing in the snow posing in-front of a crew of 16 people for six hours! Although that might sound like torture it actually ended up being one of the most amazing experiences of my life! It's kind of crazy how quickly you can get comfortable in an awkward situation with just a few shots of tequila. Lol. I really can't thank @benlowy (the photographer) and the rest of the crew enough for making me so comfortable and for doing everything to capture me in the best light possible. The Body Issue is, to me, a perfect combination of sport and art and I couldn't be more proud or honored to have been a part of it! More pics to be posted soon but don't forget to pick up your issue on newsstands this Friday, July 7th! #BodyIssue #BodyIssues #DaddyIssues
A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jul 5, 2017 at 8:40am PDT

So proud to be in this years' @espn #BodyIssue2017 ......I believe whole heartedly in what the message of this magazine represents and the mission our team is on.....#strongisbeautiful #strongwomen #itwascold @arigs33 @mduggan10 @jocelyneusa17 @bdecker1814 @kaybells22 @espnmag @espnw
A post shared by Monique Lamoureux-Morando (@moniquelam7) on Jul 5, 2017 at 7:52am PDT

So cool to get to shoot for this iconic issue that celebrates all shapes, strengths and sizes. #ESPNBODY #espnbodyissue
A post shared by Ashley Wagner (@ashwagner2010) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:38pm PDT

Go check out @espn stories!!!! All you gotta go is swipe? up to read the full interview I did with ESPN ?? plus you'll get to see all the other amazing athletes and their stories as well!
A post shared by Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) on Jul 5, 2017 at 12:47pm PDT

2017 @ESPN #Bodyissue
A post shared by Caroline Wozniacki (@carowozniacki) on Jul 5, 2017 at 8:29am PDT

CLICK HERE TO WATCH BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE OF THE BODY ISSUE

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.

Join News24 today

description

username

Show Comments ()