Each year, in ESPN Magazine’s Body Issue, there’s a breathtaking photo editorial of athletes in the buff. These “bodies we want” are shot by numerous well-known photographers in varied styles. The elegant portraits capture these toned sports heroes wearing nothing but talent.
The 2014 ESPN BODY ISSUE lauds the magazine with multiple covers and inside there are 60 stunning photos.
Like I did in this past post from the 2011 ESPN Body Issue, I’ve selected 30 of my favorites to share with you today. My apologies in advance to the photographers whose images I cropped for this post.
US National Hockey Team forward Hilary Knight by Martin Schoeller:
Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder by Alexei Hay:
Tennis Player Venus Williams by Williams + Hirakawa:
Tennis Player Tomas Berdych by Max Vadukul:
Boxer Bernard Hopkins by Max Vadukul:
Surfer Coco Ho by Morgan Maassen:
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch by Carlos Serrao:
Snowboarder Jamie Anderson by Peggy Sirota:
18 time Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer Michael Phelps by Carlos Serrao:
2014 USA National Boxing Champion Danyelle Wolf by Peter Hapak:
Snowboarder and Paralympic Medalist Amy Purdy by Paolo Kudacki:
Seattle Reign Forward Center Megan Rapinoe by Peter Hapak:
RallyCross Racer and Pro Skateboarder Travis and Lyn-Z Pastrana by Martin Schoeller:
Oracle Team Skipper Jimmy Spithill by Steven Lippman:
Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Center Sergei Ibaka by Peter Hapak:
LA Galaxy Defender Omar Gonzales by Finlay MacKay:
Guard /forward Atlanta Dream Angel McCoughtry by Art Streiber:
Cliff Diver Ginger Huber by Dean Treml:
Bobsledder Aia Evans by Williams + Hirakawa:
BMX Rider Nigel Sylvester by Carlos Serrao:
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald by Richard Phibbs:
To see all of the images, uncropped, and learn more about each athlete visit ESPN here
Links to all the fabulous photographers:
Peggy Sirota
Carlos Serrao
Peter Hapak
Martin Schoeller
Morgan Maassen
Finlay Mackay
Williams + Hirakawa
Art Streiber
Richard Phibbs
Alexei Hay
Max Vadukul
Steven Lippman
Paolo Kudacki
Dean Treml
If you never saw the equally fabulous photos of athletes from the 2011 ESPN Body Issue, check those out here.