ESPN Body Issue 2013: Athletes with Most to Gain from Magazine Appearance

ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue is one of the most highly anticipated editions of any sports magazine of the year—and for good reason.

Sure, seeing athletes in the buff appeals to a lot of people, but what the issue really offers fans is the chance to see some of their favorite (and sometimes unknown) athletes as they wouldn’t normally see them.

For the athletes in the 2013 Body Issue, having a chance to display their physique while also being in the spotlight is something unique and interesting—especially for the following athletes on this list.

Let’s take a look at three Body Issue participants who stand to gain the most from being in the spotlight.

Colin Kaepernick

As if Colin Kaepernick isn’t already under enough scrutiny.

Tattoos and all, the San Francisco 49ers signal-caller will appear in this year’s edition sans clothes, giving his detractors a closer look at what they have been criticizing him about since he joined the league.

In the interest of transparency, the debate involving Kaepernick’s tattoos is asinine, to say the least. They speak no more to his character as the clothes and hats he wears—which, by the way, is just another of the issues the 25-year-old has faced of late.

Recently criticized for donning a Miami Dolphins hat instead of his team’s red and gold, Kaepernick again dodged criticism from fans and detractors alike, all looking for a reason to make a story out of nothing.

But Kaepernick hasn’t wavered. He is who he is, and appearing in the Body Issue may help others understand that he’s not a product of the clothes he wears or the ink on his skin.

Miesha Tate

Women have opened the doors of professional sports just as much as sports have opened the doors for them. But there’s still an imbalance in coverage for female athletes, especially those who participate in physical sports like mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts blurs the traditional gender lines of sport, but that’s not a bad thing. In the case of Miesha Tate, the Body Issue proves that.

Tate has made a career of donning a pair of athletic shorts and fight gloves, hair pulled back in preparation for an all-out brawl inside the Octagon. Right or wrong, her sport doesn’t exactly embody traditional views of femininity.

Tate’s appearance in the Body Issue is a great way to capture the attention of those perhaps not familiar with the UFC and other mixed martial arts organizations. More importantly, it also highlights the fact that women can participate in physical sports and still be beautiful doing so.

Matt Harvey

Being naked really has nothing to do with why Matt Harvey is on this list.

“The Dark Knight of Gotham,” as Sports Illustrated recently dubbed him, is in the midst of a tremendous season with the New York Mets, named to the All-Star squad after a staggering first half.

In 19 starts this season, the 24-year-old righty has posted a 7-2 record with a 2.35 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. In addition, Harvey has struck out 147 batters and walked just 28 in 130 innings of work.

The budding superstar’s work on the mound speaks for itself, but he still isn’t receiving the recognition he deserves as one of the best young pitchers in the game. Appearing in the Body Issue is a testament to his ongoing rise to stardom, hopefully giving the hurler a little more exposure in the process—no pun intended.

As good as Harvey has been in his first season-plus in the bigs, expect to see a lot more of the future face of the franchise.