Just two nights ago outfielder with the Toronto Blue Jays, Jose Bautista was hoping to be crowned CHAMPION of the 2012 MLB Home run Derby...fully clothed.
Then almost a year ago, U.S. Soccer Olympian Abby Wambach kicked the game winning goal vs Brazil...in her uniform.
Candace Parker, gave birth, and continued her playing career several years ago...guarantee she was clothed as well.
And even though wearing spandex and tight jerseys, as the US Volleyball team does when they compete....they still always have clothes on.
Oh can't forget one more, 13abc spoke with a familiar face, Anna Tunicliffe, about her quest to win the Gold at this years Olympic Games....and call me crazy, but I believe during the phone interview she had clothes on. At least I would hope so.
But as these athletes, along with more than a dozen others, were approached by ESPN to be apart of the 2012 ESPN Body Issue, their jerseys and uniforms weren't part of the discussion.
Where am I going with this, you may ask?
As a young child who looks up to these athletes, who idolizes these athletes and want to be "JUST LIKE THEM" one day, is posing "nude" appropriate?
I have to admit, as an athlete myself, and currently in my life now, I find it unique.
Unique in a sense that after years of competing, the lifestyle changes, and inconsistent transformations that my body has gone through, it is great to see that it is normal and that IT can be healthy.
Yet if I rewind my life and saw it as a young girl, who doesn't know any better, and hasn't had any experience, I am not sure my opinion would be the same.
These athletes say it is a way to honor the effort and pride one puts into staying in shape and working out.
That it is possible to have a child as a female and get your body back to that "fit" lifestyle.
It is also a way to represent what "us" as pro athletes are trying to capture; being strong, powerful, and athletic.
But at the end of the day, when you know you are reaching an audience of all shapes and sizes, mentalities, and ages, is the understanding still the same?
Is the message that you as a pro athlete are trying to provoke, really getting "provoked"?
Is because it is being revealed through ESPN, make it "right?"
You may surprised to learn that one of this years athletes was questioned about why she was doing it, and because it was through ESPN, it was OK.
This is what I am gathering: Posing nude for ESPN is supposed to be INSPIRING!
If you check the 2012 ESPN Body Issue, let me know if you are inspired.
I am curious!
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