Hope Solo and the Hottest DWTS Athlete Photos Ever

The 13th season of ABC's hit Dancing with the Stars premieres on Monday, September 19th.  Yes, I said the 13th season and no, I can't believe it either. 

The average median age for Dancing with the Stars' viewers is 56.9 years, the oldest for any network show on Monday night.  Maybe you aren't a senior citizen and ballroom dancing enthusiast, that's completely normal, but certainly as a Bleacher Report reader you must be a sports fan!

It just so happens that the game show attracts some top tier sports hotties, so at least it's not completely devoid of value.  You have the DWTS producers to thank for bestowing the gift of Stacy Keibler to a grateful country. 

It doesn't stop at Ms. Keibler either! 

Let's take a look at some of the hottest athletes ever to grace the DWTS stage. 

Shawn Johnson, Gymnastics

Spritely gymnast Shawn Johnson competed in season eight of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with Mark Ballas, the professional dancer who partnered with the season six winner.

She was the youngest competitor in the show's history and narrowly edged out Gilles Marini to win the competition.

Shawn Johnson, Gymnastics

When Johnson isn't shimmying around on the dance floor rocking garish amounts of sequence, she's in the gym training for her comeback.  She competed in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and brought home an impressive four medals (one gold, three silver), but she has been sidelined with injuries in the years since. 

Johnson is eying a return and has her sights set on London 2012. 

Misty May-Treanor, Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball legend Misty May-Treanor competed in season seven of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. 

Unfortunately, Misty May didn't finish the season. A ruptured Achilles tendon knocked her out of the competition. 

Misty May-Treanor, Beach Volleyball

Even though the whole ballroom dancing thing didn't work out for Misty May, the two-time Olympic gold medal winner still has beach volleyball.  Expect to see her and partner Kerri Walsh at the 2012 Olympics in London. 

The pair just won silver in June 2011 at the FIVB World Championship in Rome, narrowly losing the gold to Larissa Franca and Juliana Silva of Brazil.

Misty May-Treanor, Beach Volleyball

Misty May's husband, Matt Treanor of the Texas Rangers, is one lucky guy because in addition to piles of gold and silver, she also happens to possess the finest caboose in all of sports. 

Jason Taylor, NFL Football

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor competed in season six of Dancing with the Stars and was lucky enough to be partnered with the gorgeous Polish dancer Edyta Śliwińska. 

Taylor was labeled an early favorite by the judges and made it all the way to the final two, where he lost to Olympic gold medal winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

I've never seen the show, but I can say with relative certainty that Taylor was totally jobbed. 

Jason Taylor, NFL Football

The devastatingly handsome Taylor is in his 14th, and presumably, final season in Miami, where he played his first 10 years in the NFL. 

Who knows though, he's defied his age for years and it wouldn't be too surprising to see him again in 2012. 

Hope Solo, Soccer

Professional soccer player Hope Solo will be competing in the upcoming 13th season of Dancing with the Stars.  She is paired with dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the dancer who was paired with (and rumored to have dated) Ms. Erin Andrews.  

Professional athletes tend to do exceptionally well on the show, so look for Solo to stick around!

Hope Solo, Soccer

Goalie Hope Solo is probably the most popular player on the U.S. Women's Soccer team; look for her (naked) in the upcoming Body Issue of ESPN The Magazine. 

Melissa Rycroft, Cheerleading

Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Melissa Rycroft competed in season eight of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with Tony Dovolani.

Rycroft signed on to the show very late and appeared on the season premiere after having only practiced for two days, the shortest amount of preparation time in the show's history. 

Melissa Rycroft, Cheerleading

Despite the short practice time, Rycroft survived the entire season and placed a respectable third on the season finale. 

Melissa Rycroft, Cheerleading

Rycroft got her start on ABC reality television on The Bachelor, the painfully awful dating show that is just too horrifying to die.  She was chosen by Bachelor Jason Mesnick on the season finale, only to be dumped weeks later on a television special.

Really though, if you are going to tell your fiance that you're dumping her for the girl you dumped in favor of her, where better place to do that than on television?

Erin Andrews, ESPN Reporter

ESPN reporter (and national treasure) Erin Andrews competed in season 10 of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with Russian dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy. 

The pair were rumored to be a couple in 2010, but there was never any official confirmation. 

Erin Andrews, ESPN Reporter

Ms. Andrews and her ridiculous legs made it allllll the way to the season finale, but ultimately came in third, behind figure skater Evan Lysacek and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. 

Aren't the Pussycat Dolls just strippers?  Clearly Scherzinger had an unfair advantage. 

Erin Andrews, ESPN Reporter

Ms. Andrew's strong showing on Dancing with the Stars could have something to with her dance background at the University of Florida.  She was a member of the Gators' dance team, the Dazzlers, from 1997 to 2000.

Her younger sister Kendra Andrews followed in her footsteps and now works as a professional dancer and actor. 

Stacy Keibler, WWE

The nation was introduced to the gloriousness that is former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler in season two of Dancing with the Stars.  Tony Dovolani was the professional dancer lucky enough to be partnered with Keibler. 

Stacy Keibler, WWE

The judges pegged Keibler as a favorite early on, but much like the beautiful women behind her (on this list) she came in third behind a couple of lame dudes. 

Okay, maybe Jerry Rice isn't lame, but the brother of the guy who used to be married to Jessica Simpson is definitely lame.

Stacy Keibler, WWE

Keibler's career has skyrocketed since her appearance on Dancing with the Stars, which is why this show still continues to be worth writing about.