ESPN releases final print edition of its Body Issue – but some aren't sad to see it go: 'It burns my eyes'
ESPN released its 2019 Body Issue on Wednesday and announced that it will be the publication’s final print magazine. But despite the incredible photos, featuring gymnast Katelyn Ohashi, NBA player Chris Paul and the Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Line, people don’t seem so sad about seeing the magazine go.
After 11 years of celebrating all kinds of athletic physiques, the annual issue certainly has some fans who have been inspired by its content. Still, plenty of people seem to have had an adverse response to the images.
@espn can we be done with body issue. It’s disgusting. Nobody likes it.
— Tim (@Sideline_Tim) September 4, 2019
@espn the body issue magazines are just disturbing
— Fabo (@shecallsmefabo) September 4, 2019
Why does ESPN keep doing the body issue ??? WHO IS ASKING FOR THIS ????
— @ (@OGICEY) September 4, 2019
Am I the only one who thinks the ESPN body issue is really dumb?
— 🐘-0 (@Lyell_Walker) September 4, 2019
ESPN the body issue...who approved that
— Mr. Miracle (@VayaConDiosBruh) September 4, 2019
I'm not sure I'll ever understand the whole ESPN body issue thing. The poses are so weird that it burns my eyes.
— Scott (@MrLobble) September 4, 2019
While many of those reactions simply express confusion over the target audience for the publication, some people have gone so far as to say that showing off the figures of various athletes is uninspiring and may even promote body image issues.
@espn I just wanted to say thanks for the latest body issue. Once again you made me look in the mirror and see how fat and out of shape I am. Nothing kicks you in the groin more the ESPN!
— Bernard Horowitz (@BernardHorowit6) September 4, 2019
I wonder how many eating disorders ESPN Magazine’s Body issue is responsible for?
— Brandon Hahn (@mrhahncomedy) September 4, 2019
However, those in favor of ESPN’s well-known issue are continuing to celebrate the inclusivity of the publication during its last launch — especially with the inclusion of Paralympian Scout Bassett and 61-year-old former basketball player Nancy Lieberman.
“I wanted to be able to do this to show that you can have [scars] and still be beautiful and powerful and strong ..."
Paralympian @ScoutBassett is proud of her journey. Read her powerful story in the 2019 Body Issue ?? https://t.co/zB02BSm7xd pic.twitter.com/VmcCV2QUjP— ESPN (@espn) August 29, 2019
ESPN Magazine’s Body Issue came out today.
We need to talk about Nancy Lieberman’s abs. pic.twitter.com/X29V3FkxzT— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) September 4, 2019
Still, the fan favorite addition seems to be Super Bowl LII Champions, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo and Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
What we all wanted in the ESPN Body Issue: The Eagles Offensive Line! pic.twitter.com/7oLmCi6KYD
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 4, 2019
i have literally thousands of very detailed thoughts about the Eagles linemen portion of the ESPN Body Issue but unfortunately none of them are appropriate to share on this website
— Amanda Mull (@amandamull) September 4, 2019
I love @espn promoting body positivity. The Eagles’ offensive line in the 2019 Body Issue 👌🏽
— 6rett 4lexander (@feel_bretter) September 4, 2019
The Eagles offensive line inspires me. Big boy szn is still here. Not going away any time soon.
— Jayson Buford (@jaysonbuford) September 4, 2019
The photos of the five men have been deemed body positive by fans scrolling through the photos. While gymnast Ohashi, who had a viral perfect-10 floor routine in January, opened up on her Instagram about how posing for the revealing photos made her “proud of her body and all its imperfections.”
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