[Warning: This post contains photos of butts.]
You guys, I’m officially obsessed with ESPN’s The Body Issue.
Maybe it’s a slow news week (I almost subjected you to a story about Archie Bradley taking the mound with an unapproved substance in his pants–you’re welcome), but I can’t get enough of our yearly sneak peek at the amazingly athletic bodies that are capable of doing the incredible things the rest of us mere humans simply watch.
ESPN always does a great job with this highly anticipated annual issue, and this year’s crop of photos is no different.
Check out the highlights.
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe
The ESPN Body Issue is out.
Congrats to Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe — the first openly gay couple to be on the cover, and featured in the issue.https://t.co/HDjbOVtAR7 pic.twitter.com/RQVbfxk4F7
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) June 25, 2018
The Seattle sports power couple is featured on one of the magazine’s five covers in an instantly iconic showing of inclusivity.
“What better time than when we need to be celebrating things that are different about us and accepting them and trying to understand them better?” said Rapinoe in her interview with ESPN’s Jemele Hill. “It’s pretty incredible to be in this moment.”
Yasiel Puig
After 4 years I finally decided to do these amazing and incredible pictures with @espnmag I hope everyone enjoyed them as much as I did. Thank you @espnmag I had a blast! #2018 #magazine #espn #body 👍🏼🤭😬🙌🏽👊🏾👅🏋🏽♂️👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/cGWo8vDIpN
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) June 25, 2018
Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig isn’t exactly a known introvert, so it’s no surprise that his Body shoot is nothing short of spectacular. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, y’all.
Greg Norman
Time for the big reveal! Honored to have been a part of the @ESPN #BodyIssue. 63 and strong 💪 #Body10
📷: @kwakualston pic.twitter.com/UgBpx1mPMq
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) June 25, 2018
The golf legend is in undeniably tip-top shape. Who says golf isn’t athletic?
Adam Rippon
Getting to shoot @espn’s Body Issue was amazing, but being one of their covers is so awesome, unreal, and honestly WTFFFF!!! ☠️🍑🕺🏼⛸ pic.twitter.com/xLe6cdoUhA
— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) June 25, 2018
America’s Olympic sweetheart took to the ice wearing nothing but his skates for his cover shoot. Peach emoji, indeed.
Lauren Chamberlain
“I am not going to look like the ideal athlete. I will always be thick. I will always be a bigger girl. When I get muscle, it’s not cut. I have dimples and cellulite on my legs. But I’ve come to an understanding of that, instead of being picky about it.” @espn #ESPNBody #body10 pic.twitter.com/eephAvtbHy
— Lauren Chamberlain (@LChamberlain44) June 25, 2018
Girl. Yes. The dose of body positivity from the U.S. softball star is refreshing and much needed.
Breanna Stewart
Uncovered cover shot. #Body10 #ESPNBodyIssue pic.twitter.com/BgC0IIZVsR
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) June 25, 2018
We love us some WNBA basketball here at Sports Are From Venus, so it’s exciting to see two members of the Seattle Storm on separate ESPN covers for this issue.
Want to see more? Check out the rest from ESPN (along with more photos).
Photo credit: ABC News