Serena Williams Tastefully Bares All, With a Smile

Just when you thought Serena Williams has had about enough of the media exposure for stirring up controversy at the US Open after baring her emotions to a lines judge that resulted in a code violation and a point penalty, at match point no less, which cost her the match and a chance at the title, she goes ahead and bares all in a rather décolleté photo shoot for ESPN’s Body Issue with the motto “All nude. Tastefully done.”

 I am going to hazard there is going to be a backlash after stirring this “no-no” pot (many, many purists out there – didn’t anyone tell her) and she is going to experience more controversy and exposure that is negative.

‘Tis too bad. Really.

Serena is just one of several prominent athletes posing nude for the October issue of ESPN Magazine and she is one of six athletes to be showcased on the cover.

For my part, I quite like the picture. It’s a nice happy photo of Serena. But more than that, I am also a fan of the message ESPN Magazine is sending.

ESPN Magazine is following a new trend in the magazine industry that I think is awesome. The mag has revealed their October issue, which hits stands on October 9th (run and get your copy, people!!) will feature not just “beautiful” bodies. At least, not what the public has been told is “beautiful” by the many fashion house catwalks around the world parading uber-skinny  models that are rail thin as to be mistaken for a clothes hanger. But don’t need to get into the whole self-image, self-love, acceptance, and the various views of beauty rant....

Rather the “Body Issue’s” naked grab includes 350-pound Mongolian born Sumo star Byambajav “Byamba” Ulambayar as well as 112-pound jockey Alex Solis and Olympic weightlifter Cheryl Haworth.

Other well-known sports figures to reveal all in the inaugural "Body Issue" will be Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, and Texas Rangers catcher Pudge Rodriguez, as well as a slew of other athletes from a wide range of sports, including hockey (men and women), soccer, softball and golf. Speaking of golf, Tiger Woods was approached but declined! Apparently, the editor hopes to get him next year!

It will be up to the readers to cast stones and throw judgement but ESPN is planning the “Body Issue” as an annual event. And if you ask me, I’ve got some lovely ideas on who I would like to see on the next cover of the Body Issue, but I am not saying who it is!