ESPN Body Issue- Our Top Picks!

ESPN The Magazine annually posts an issue dedicated to none other than the beautiful, sculpted male and female athletes that kill the game, literally and physically. From all shapes and sizes, ESPN gets the up-close and personal view of some of our favorite athletes.

Here is my top 10!

Now go pick up a copy, read by the pool or use it as motivation to get that ass in the gym! (Uhm… Hello Paige Selenski, can I just have a few of your abs?! Hook a sista up!)

1. Kevin Love, F, Cleveland Cavaliers

Photo: ESPN Instagram

2. Odell Beckham Jr.,WR, New York Giants

Photo: ESPN Instagram

3. Ali Krieger, USWNT, Women’s World Cup Champion

Photo: ESPN Instagram

4. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

Photo: ESPN Instagram

5. Natalie Coughlin, US Women’s Swimmer, 6 time Olympic Medalist

Photo: Natalie Coughlin Instagram

6. Venus Williams, US Women’s Tennis player

Photo: ESPN “Bodies We Want”

7. Paige Selenski, US Women’s Field Hockey Player

Photo: ESPN “Bodies We Want”

8. Dallas Friday, US Women’s Wakeboarder

Photo: ESPN “Bodies We Want”

9. DeAndre Jordan, Center, Los Angeles Clippers

Photo: ESPN Instagram

10. Ali Raisman, US Women’s Gymnast

Photo: ESPN “Bodies We Want”

Well, I think I’m going to have to go do a spin class now and drink some green sh*t or something. Later!

– Morgan

 

“If you can look up, you can get up.” Former Giants RB David Wilson Won’t Let Spinal Stenosis Stop Him

Photo: Gospel Herald

Goodbye NFL, and hello track and field!

People would think you’re crazy if you told them a former first-round draft pick would retire from the NFL after two years.

David Wilson would tell you you’re out of your mind if you told him this would be his story. Yet here he is, during an emotional press conference walking away from the game he loves.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-york-giants/0ap3000000374814/Wilson-gives-emotional-farewell-speech

Ugh, you teared up right?

“If you can look up, you can get up,”   -David Wilson.

So how did Wilson get to this point and where does he go from here?

Wilson attended high school in Virginia where he set school records and was the Gatorade Player of the Year. He went on to play college ball at Virginia Tech where once again he set records – during his junior season he racked up 1,709 yards on 290 carries. He was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

During the combine he put up impressive numbers especially in the vertical jump and broad jump – keep that in mind.

He was drafted in the first round to the New York Giants in 2012. That same year as an NFL rookie,  Wilson led the league with a franchise-record of 1,533 kickoff return yards.

His next season tragedy would strike. Wilson was injured just five games into his second season, where doctors then diagnosed him with spinal stenosis.  Wilson had surgery in January of 2014 and returned for training camp, only to take a hard hit that left him feeling a numbness you never want to feel.

A couple of months later, he was told he would have to sit the whole season and was advised by doctors to quit football.

Cue the video- Wilson decided it was time to retire.

He finished with playing in 21 career games and had 504 yards on 115 carries.

It’s true… When one door closes, another one always opens.

Now I told you about David Wilson the football star, but I didn’t tell you about David Wilson the track and field star.

Photo: NY Times

Back in high school, Wilson was a sprinter and a jumper. In 2009, he was the National Champion at the Nike Indoor meet for the triple jump. He also did track and field at Virginia Tech. He was an All-American and placed sixth in the triple jump at the NCAA Championship.

So this is Wilson’s next move, track and field. He has been training for the triple jump and he has his eyes set on going to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

In his first track meet since 2011 last month (June 2015), he fell a little short of his goal and placed ninth. He did not qualify for the US Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

They say it’s not about how many times you fall, but about how many times you get back up. Keep getting up Wilson, we want to see you in red, white and blue again!

– Paige

The Name of the Game is the Hall of Fame- Seven Inducted to NHL HOF

“Standing in the Hall of Fame, and the world’s gonna know your name.”

– “Hall of Fame” by The Script.

Seven new NHL players will be standing in the Hall of Fame, and if you didn’t know their names before, you will now. They will be honored at an enshrinement ceremony on November 9th in Toronto.

The 2015 HOF inductees include:

SERGEI FEDOROV

During the 1900’s – 2000’s, Fedorov was considered to be one of the best hockey players in the world. He spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Red Wings where he was a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. He had small stints with the Ducks, Blue Jackets and Capitals. In 1994, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP of the season). In 1,248 games he scored 483 goals.

Three must be his lucky number because he is a three-time Olympian as well. Fedorov is considered one of the best playoff performers in history.

Fun fact: He was married to Anna Kournikova for two years.

PHIL HOUSLEY

I don’t think Housley ever wanted to stop playing hockey! Or at least play until he won a Stanley Cup. He has played more NHL games without winning the Cup than any other NHL player in history (23 seasons and 1,495 games). He made one Cup appearance with the Capitals, but the Capitals were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Bummer.

Housley is the second leading scorer amongst U.S. born players with 1,232 goals. In 2007, he was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres HOF and he is currently an assistant coach for the Nashville Predators. Housley, you may not have won the Cup, but you’re going to the Hall of Fame! 

NICKLAS LIDSTROM

Nicklas Lidstrom aka “Mr. Perfect,” played 20 seasons in the NHL – all for the Detroit Red Wings. He is considered the greatest defenseman of all time. He has some awards to back that statement up.

He has four Stanley Cup wins, seven James Norris Memorial Trophies (awarded to the best defenceman), one Playoff MVP in 2002 and has played in 12 NHL All-Star games.

Basically he’s a boss.

Fun fact: Lidstrom and Fedorov played on the Red Wings together when they won the Stanley Cup in 2002.

CHRIS PRONGER

Well here is an interesting guy.

For starters, Pronger is not officially retired, he is under contract with the Arizona Coyotes. However, he has not played a game since 2011 due to concussions from hits. One hit was so bad he actually suffers from vision impairment. Yeah. He took a hockey stick straight to the eyeballs. YIKES.

Not to forget mentioning, Pronger is also known as one of the most dirty players. He was even suspended eight games for stomping on a players leg. Cough, BAD. Cough, ASS. What?! Hockey IS a contact sport, and isn’t that why we all love it?!

Pronger was awarded the MVP for the 1999-2000 season and has been to the Stanley Cup finals with the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and the Philadelphia Flyers. He won the Cup in 2007 with the Ducks. He also is a two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner.

ANGELA RUGGIERO

Yes, Angela. Yes, a FEMALE.

SHE is the fourth woman to be inducted to the HOF. She was a member of the United States Women’s National Hockey Team, where she won a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. Not to mention, she has three other Olympic medals.

Actually, she is one of five hockey players to compete in four Olympic games. You can also check her out on EA Sports NHL ‘13. You go girl!

BILL HAY

Bill Hay is being inducted in the NHL HOF under Builder.

“The Hall of Fame defines a Builder as an individual who has contributed to the development of the game of hockey, moving the game forward.” 

He played all eight seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 1960, he received the “Rookie of the Year” award and in 1961, he came back to Chicago and brought the city a Stanley Cup!

Fun Fact: He will be joining his dad, Charles Hay, in the HOF.

PETER KARMANOS JR.

Karmanos Jr. is the majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes. He is being inducted in the NHL HOF under the category of Builder also. Karmanos has made an impact on the OHL, the ECHL and the NHL. He established the Compuware Youth Program in the 1970’s and boy did he build from that! From that program there has been 15 national Championships, 34 state Championships, 235 Division I scholarship hockey players and 14 NHL first round draft picks.

What an honor it is to be inducted into such an elite group of athletes and we’re happy to see  female made it into the bunch this year as well! Congratulations to all!

– Paige