Beauty is defined in more ways than one. While Kate Upton and Brooklyn Decker are stunning, there are thousands of women that don't quite fit the traditional mold who are equally stunning.

It just depends on what you define as beauty.

As I scanned over the candidates for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover, I began to think, "What if the folks in charge opened this talent pool up a bit?"

For that reason, I came up with a list of beauties that would break the mold of what we've come to expect from our Sports Illustrated cover girls.

Here they are, equipped with the requisite sports relevance that gives license to posting images of beautiful women on a sports website. 

 

Serena Williams

Serena_original_original courtesy of thisisthedream.com

The sports correlation is easy with this one. However, many don't think of Serena when they think about the most beautiful women in sports or even in general. Williams is such a fierce competitor, and at times she may intimidate, but I can still see the beauty.

At 30 years old, she still delivers the goods. Oh, and she's still one hell of a tennis player as well.

Again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally belong to a fan club of admirers that acknowledge Ms. Williams as cover-worthy.

 

Bella Gonzalez

Shane-mosleys-girlfriend_original

She's at least dating an athlete. Shane Mosley's girlfriend, who actually gave a better show than her man during his most recent bout with Manny Pacquiao, is just smoking hot.

I'm not sure if SI would approve of what she does to a swimsuit, but I see don't a problem...anywhere.

 

Melyssa Ford

Mford_original_original courtesy of allhotnewzblogspot.com

Ford's father is Afro-Barbadian and her mother is Russian and Norwegian. That is obviously a recipe for a beautiful woman.

Indeed, she is the original video vixen. Ford appeared in music videos from 1997-2004.

Which of these women would make the best non-traditional SI Swimsuit Cover Girl?

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What's more, she has appeared in several feature films, such as Two Can Play That Game and the short-lived but awesome TV series Playmakers. That was the ESPN original series about professional football.

I told you I'd work in a sports reference no matter what.

Ford is 35 years old, and the world should pray that they look this way when they reach that age, or any other age for that matter.

I'd buy Melyssa Ford on the cover of the Swimsuit Issue in a minute.

 

Trish Stratus

Trishstratus_original_original courtesy of ebaumsworld.com

Has the world forgotten how amazing Trish Stratus looks? Her real name is Patricia Anne Stratigias and she is still currently signed as a WWE employee.

For a while, she was the only reason I watched the Divas matches on the pay-per-views.

Stratus-faction was absolutely guaranteed when she entered the ring, win or lose. Stratus really is a tremendous athlete. Outside of the WWE, she has participated in triathlons and opened a yoga studio.

Trish would be an awesome cover girl.

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