ESPN Body Issue 2012: Athletes Who Deserve Cover over Knicks' Tyson Chandler

Surprising details have emerged on the athletes who have shed their clothing for ESPN the Magazine’s infamous Body Issue set to be released on July 13.

The fourth annual issue will feature Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks on one of its covers, a move that had me rather confused.

Sure Chandler plays in the nation’s biggest media market, but why is somebody who stands at 7’1’’ and weighs 240 pounds considered cover-worthy? Chandler is not exactly the poster boy for an athlete’s physique.

While ESPN has yet to announce just how many separate covers will be released, I have some suggestions as to who should also be given the nod to grace the cover.

Going through the entire 27 athlete list, here are three worthy of a cover.  

Daniela Hantuchova

The Slovakian women’s tennis player has been a professional since 1999, and is still in incredible shape after all these years.

She doesn’t have the incredible curves of other female athletes, but Hantuchova is a prime example of what a conditioned athlete looks like after over a decade of professional experience.

Rob Gronkowski

The New England Patriots tight end has some incredibly enormous biceps, and an overall physique that suggests he has a future in weight-lifting.

If you are looking for the most chiseled athlete of the bunch, look no further than Gronk.

Carmelita Jeter

Jeter is by far the most cut female athlete on the list. Her abdominals and calves are unbelievable, and surely the catalyst for her incredible speed.

Besides the aesthetic reasons, Jeter deserves the cover because of her sport.

Few pay attention to track and field outside of the Olympics, and with the London games less than a month away, putting her on the cover makes perfect sense from a timing aspect.

Sprinters rarely get a chance to soak up media attention. This is the perfect opportunity to give her publicity before competing in some of the biggest races of her life. 

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