B/R's 25 Sexiest Men Alive: Sports Edition

Every year People magazine publishes it's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue to a grateful audience of interested parties. As an interested party, I always look, but am usually disappointed. 

Judging by the protests outside People's Manhattan headquarters, it's clear I'm not the only one disappointed. Now, I'm not a weirdo, so I don't condone the whole protesting thing, but I don't blame anyone for being disappointed that Bradley Cooper was chosen over Ryan Gosling. 

Almost every year People chooses an overrated, underwhelming actor as their "Sexiest Man Alive." Occasionally they get it right (Ryan Reynolds and Johnny Depp) but generally they get it very wrong (Jude Law and Ben Affleck). 

Personally, I think most interested parties would prefer a sexy athletes issue instead. Kind of like what ESPN: The Magazine  does for their annual "Body Issue," but more superficial and without the ladies. 

There was a void in the market, until now. 

Here are the 25 Sexiest Athletes Alive.

25. Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise is a left-winger for the New Jersey Devils who was an alternate captain for the silver-medalist American team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Parise isn't just a hunky athlete who can rock the crap out of a suit, he's also got the "aww" factor! Parise volunteers with the New Jersey public library and serves as a Library Champion, a program that promotes the importance of reading to kids. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 27

Height: 5'11

Weight: 195 Pounds

Sport: Hockey

Nationality: French-Canadian; raised in Minnesota 

Marital Status: Engaged :(

24. Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Forget Patriots quarterback Tom Brady! It's Brady's favorite target at wide receiver, Wes Welker, who is the sexiest man in Foxborough. Welker came into the NFL as an undersized, undrafted free-agent in 2004 and is now one of the league's most productive receivers. 

Welker has also got a killer sense of humor, as evidenced by his infamous "foot press conference" in January 2011. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 30

Height: 5'9

Weight: 185 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in Oklahoma 

Marital Status: Married :(

23. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls point guard is definitely a 'bad boy' whose grading controversy at the University of Memphis resulted in the NCAA vacating their entire 2007-08 season. 

What he lacks in book smarts, he makes up for in talent. In just three seasons in the NBA, Rose has already been  named the league's MVP (2011), Rookie of the Year (2009) and an NBA All-Star (2010, 2011).

Vital Stats 

Age: 23

Height: 6'3

Weight: 190 Pounds

Sport: NBA Basketball 

Nationality: American; raised on Chicago's South Side

Marital Status: Dating someone

22. C.J. Wilson, Texas Rangers

C.J. Wilson played the 2011 season with the Texas Rangers, but is currently a free-agent seeking a team who will make him "feel special." 

Wilson is a devoted Taoist and adhered to a "Straight Edge" lifestyle, meaning he abstains from alcohol, illegal drugs and casual sex. What he lacks in sexual partners, he makes up for in Porsches; Wilson has a vast collection of the sports car. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 31

Height: 6'1

Weight: 210 Pounds

Sport: MLB Baseball

Nationality: American; raised in Newport Beach

Marital Status: Recently split with Victoria's Secret model, Dominique Piek 

21. Fredrik Ljungberg, Swedish Men's Soccer

Fredrik Ljungberg was a captain of the Swedish national team until he announced his retirement in 2008. Since then he has kept busy modeling for brands such as Calvin Klein, Nike, L'Oreal and Puma. 

Ljungberg is a fashionable metrosexual type who says, "I love clothes, but I'm not gay." Although, since gay men can be very fashionable, he takes it as a compliment. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 34

Height: 5'9

Weight: 162 Pounds

Sport: Soccer

Nationality: Swedish; raised in Vittsjö

Marital Status: Single

20. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was selected seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft and as since become the premiere player at his position in the league. 

Though never married, Peter has two children, including a daughter named Adeja. He current lives in a Minnesota suburb with his two brothers; Derrick and Eldon. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 26

Height: 6'1

Weight: 217 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in Texas 

Marital Status: Dating a woman who recently appeared in Playboy

19. Feliciano López, Tennis

Spanish tennis playboy Feliciano Lopez became the first Spanish tennis player to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon since 1972. 

Obviously Lopez is living in the shadow of another Spanish tennis superstar, Rafael Nadal. He eases his pain with an endless number of beautiful women and has been called a "womanizer." 

Vital Stats 

Age: 30

Height: 6'2

Weight: 187 Pounds

Sport: Tennis 

Nationality: Spanish; raised in Toledo (Spain, not Ohio)

Marital Status: Could be in or out of a relationship at any moment 

18. Carl Edwards, NASCAR

Carl Edwards currently competes in the Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series. He won the Busch Series championship in 2007. 

Edwards doesn't just drive cars, according the FAA registry, Edwards has an pilot license and is authorized to pilot Cessna Citation jets. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 32

Height: 6'1

Weight: 184 Pounds

Sport: NASCAR 

Nationality: American; raised in Missouri 

Marital Status: Edwards once dated swimmer Amanda Beard, but married Kate Downey in 2009. 

17. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Dwayne Wade is the biggest (in terms of production) of the Miami Heat's 'Big Three'. D-Wade is a seven time NBA All-Star who was the NBA Finals MVP in 2006 when the Heat won the championship. 

Wade was actually named one of People's '50 Most Beautiful People' in 2005 and the next year was named the NBA's best dressed player by GQ Magazine. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 29

Height: 6'4

Weight: 220 Pounds

Sport: NBA Basketball 

Nationality: American; raised on the South Side of Chicago

Marital Status: Dating actress Gabrielle Union 

16. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

University of Miami alum Ryan Braun is a left fielder who was drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in 2005. He was named to the 2011 Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest players in baseball; coming in at No. 16. 

If you've been search for a nice Jewish boy, Braun is your man. He is one of the highest drafted Jewish ballplayers in history and was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Hall of Fame in January 2010. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 28

Height: 6'1

Weight: 210 Pounds

Sport: MLB Baseball 

Nationality: American; raised In Granada Hills, California. 

Marital Status: Dating bikini model Larisa Fraser 

15. Adam Scott, PGA Golf

Adam Scott is a professional golfer who was ranked No. 3 in January, 2007, which was a career high for him. Scott hired Steve Williams as his permanent caddy after he was fired by Tiger Woods in the summer of 2011. 

Scott is a ladies man who has been linked to actress Kate Hudson recent and dated tennis beauty Ana Ivanovic until early 2011...ladies love plaid. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 31

Height: 6'0

Weight: 170 Pounds

Sport: PGA Golf 

Nationality: Australian; rased in Adelaide

Marital Status: Probably single but linked to actress Kate Hudson in August, 2011

14. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins halfback Reggie Bush was drafted by the New Orleans Saints second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Bush has largely been a disappointment in the NFL and is best known for the scandal which brought down the USC program and cost Bush his Heisman Trophy. 

Bush had a high profile romance with Kim Kardashian prior to her sham wedding to Kris Humphries, there have been reports that the two are considering getting back together. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 26

Height: 6'0

Weight: 203 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in La Mesa, California 

Marital Status: Reportedly still dating model Melissa Molinaro 

13. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

Cole Hamels is a starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and in recent years has distinguished himself as one of the best starting pitchers in MLB. 

Hamels might be a video game nerd because he appeared in a promotion video for the first person shooter game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2; he denounced a phenomenon in the game knows as grenade spam. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 27

Height: 6'3

Weight: 195 Pounds

Sport: MLB Baseball 

Nationality: American; raised in San Diego 

Marital Status: Married to Heidi Strobel, a former contestant on Survivor

12. Yoann Gourcuff, French Men's Soccer

Yoann Gourcuff has been described as the best French player of his generation; his style and ability have drawn comparisons to French legend Zinedine Zidane. 

Gourcuff was rumored to be making a move to the English Premiere League to play for Arsenal in November, 2011, but his agent denied the rumor and insisted he was focuses on recovery from a recent injury. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 25

Height: 6'1

Weight: 178 Pounds

Sport: Soccer 

Nationality: French; raised in Ploemeur 

Marital Status: Dating model Marie Steiss since 2009

11. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

Serge Ibaka is currently under contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but due to the NBA lockout, he's playing in Spain for Real Madrid Baloncesto. 

Ibaka has an amazing 18 siblings and is referred to as Air Congo by his teammates.  

Vital Stats 

Age: 22

Height: 6'10

Weight: 235 Pounds

Sport: NBA Basketball 

Nationality: Congolese; raised in the Republic of the Congo 

Marital Status: Single

10. Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

Despite his largely unimpressive stats, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has been the most buzzed about player in the NFL this season. Tebowmania has essentially swept the nation and "Tebowing" has become a national sensation. 

The former Florida Gator is well known for his religious beliefs and has never shied away from them publicly. Tebow is your man if you're looking for a wholesome do-gooder with a killer bod and a great attitude. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 24

Height: 6'3

Weight: 236 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 

Marital Status: Probably single, but was linked to former Oregon Cheerleader Amanda Pflugrad in February, 2011

9. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp is a forward who was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft but was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005. 

Sharp's handsomeness hasn't gone unrecognized in Chicago; he was featured as one the "50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans" and landed the cover of Chicago Magazine  in early 2011. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 29

Height: 6'1

Weight: 197 Pounds

Sport: NHL Hockey 

Nationality: Canadian; raised in Winnipeg. 

Marital Status: Married his longtime girlfriend Abby in July, 2010. The pair are expecting their first child in December. 

8. Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor is in his 14th season in the NFL. He played most of his career in Miami but also had brief stints with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins before returning home to (probably) retire a Dolphin. 

Taylor has obviously got the moves off the field as well; he competed on Season 6 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars and placed second overall in the competition. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 37

Height: 6'6

Weight: 244 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football  

Nationality: American; raised in Pittsburgh

Marital Status: Married

7. Jenson Button, British Formula One

Jenson Button is a British Formula One driver who won the 2009 World Drivers' Champion. Button achieved early success in racing, perhaps because he was introduced to karting when he was just eight years old. 

Apparently Button is the Troy Polamalu of the U.K. He's the brand ambassador for Head & Shoulders and has appeared in advertising campaigns for the shampoo. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 31

Height: 6'0

Weight: 160 Pounds

Sport: Formula One

Nationality: British; raised in Somerset, England

Marital Status: Dating Japanese model Jessica Michibata 

6. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Chris Paul played two seasons of college ball at Wake Forest University before being drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 NBA Entry Draft. 

Paul is a four time NBA All-Star and won Rookie of the Year in 2006. He's got endorsement deals with PowerAde, Right Guard and Nike; Forbes reports Paul earns about $4 million annually from endorsements. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 26

Height: 6'0

Weight: 175 Pounds

Sport: Formula One

Nationality: American; raised in North Carolina 

Marital Status: Married longtime girlfriend Jada Crawley in September, 2011

5. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was selected fifth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. With just two seasons under his belt, Sanchez is already tied for the most postseason road victories by an NFL quarterback. 

Sanchez is a fan of musical theater and was even a presenter at the 2010 Tony Awards in New York. He says he's taken some heat from his teammates over the whole thing, but he doesn't let that deter him from attending the lavish Broadway musicals New York is famous for. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 25

Height: 6'2

Weight: 225 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in Long Beach, California 

Marital Status: Single, but recently said he was looking for an "experienced" woman like Jennifer Aniston that he can take home to mama Sanchez. 

4. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was drafted 195th overall by the Steelers in the 2010 NFL Draft. Brown is a rising star in Pittsburgh and is being groomed to take over for aging Steelers legend, Hines Ward.

Brown played college ball at Central Michigan and was named an All-American in January 2010.  

Vital Stats 

Age: 23

Height: 5'10

Weight: 186 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in Miami

Marital Status: Single

3. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was drafted by the Rangers 205th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in each of his first three seasons in the NHL and the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in each of his first six seasons. 

Lundqvist, who has a twin brother and used to play in a Swedish rock band, was named one of People's '100 Most Beautiful People' in 2006. Lundqvist and teammate Sean Avery own a restaurant called Tiny's in New York's trendy TriBeCa neighborhood. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 29

Height: 6'1

Weight: 195 Pounds

Sport: NHL Hockey 

Nationality: Swedish; raiased in Åre, Jämtland

Marital Status: Married Therese Andersson in the summer of 2011

2. Will Demps, NFL Free Agent

Will Demps is a former NFL safety who came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of San Diego State in 2002. He played for the Ravens, Giants and last played for the Texans in 2009. 

Demps is a sometimes model who is the owner of a Wet Willie's chain bar in San Diego. The bar celebrated it's Grand Opening in October, 2010. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 32

Height: 6'0

Weight: 208 Pounds

Sport: NFL Football 

Nationality: American; raised in Charleston, South Carolina 

Marital Status: Single. I think. 

1. Carlos Bocanegra, U.S. Men's Soccer

Carolos Bocanegra is the captain of the U.S. Men's National team and currently plays for the Rangers of the Scottish Premier League; he signed a three-year deal with the club in August, 2011. 

Bocanegra has become a fan favorite overseas and has been nicknamed 'Captain America' by the Rangers fans. 

Vital Stats 

Age: 32

Height: 6'0

Weight: 170 Pounds

Sport: Soccer

Nationality: American; raised in Upland, California 

Marital Status: Single.