It’s that time of year again. Time to celebrate some of our nation’s best athletes and, more notably, their incredible physiques! The seventh annual ESPN Magazine Body Issue contains six different covers, featuring NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., baseball pro Bryce Harper, heptathlete Chantae McMillan, Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin, track and field athlete Amanda Bingson and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love.
via Peter Hapak
“Generally when you look at athletes, you see their muscles and all that stuff; I don’t have any of that. My arm is just my arm — it’s not cut, it’s not sculpted. I don’t have traps bulging out to my ears; I have a neck. I don’t have a six-pack. My legs are a little toned, but they aren’t bulging out. I’m just dense. I think it’s important to show that athletes come in all shapes and sizes.” – Amanda Bingson, track and field
via Williams + Hirakawa
“There were a lot of girls around me growing up that suffered full-blown eating disorders, or just the body dysmorphia that every girl feels — especially every girl in a swimsuit. There were times when I wasn’t happy with my body, but I always knew that I was really fit and that it was what allowed me to be successful in the pool.” – Natalie Coughlin, Olympic swimmer
via Peter Hapak
“I look back on certain things that I’ve done … we were winning 6-0, and I ran into a wall — why? There’s no point. Last year, I slid into third base on a bases-clearing triple. [Harper tore a ligament in his left thumb during the 2014 play that required surgery.] It’s like, if you had stayed on second base, you’re still playing the whole year and helping your team win. I’ve got to be smarter, definitely.” – Bryce Harper, MLB outfielder
via Carlos Serrao
“I was outside playing and it was cold, but I was just by myself throwing the football around. She was like, “What the hell are you doing outside?” I told her: “I’m practicing for Sundays.” Ever since, she’s pushed me to where I am today.” – Odell Beckham, Jr., wide receiver for the New York Giants
via Carlos Serrao
“I like when I can turn my arm and see all the muscles and lines throughout, seeing the vascularity. I like the lines of my deltoids and trying to find the “horseshoe” when I flex my triceps. The horseshoe goes back to one of my strength coaches — we would always joke about trying to get that horseshoe on the back of my arm. If I’m in the gym with someone I know, I’m going to purposely flex my arm and make sure that they can see my horseshoe and the lines of my delts and all the veins.” – Chantae McMillan, track and field
via Richard Phibbs
“I’m down to 238. But throughout my career, I’ve always looked at injuries as opportunities. No, the timing is never great. But I ask myself, “What can I do to better myself in the meantime, as far as basketball and my body?” You look at guys around the league and reassess.” – Kevin Love, forward for Cleveland Cavaliers
Other features within the issue include:
