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Sketchy hobby is comforting distraction for uber-busy Kimes

The infamous "Butt Fumble" by Mina Kimes.
The infamous “Butt Fumble” by Mina Kimes.

ESPN senior writer Mina Kimes is busier than usual these days, writing for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine – most recently on Kansas City Chiefs rookie Tyreek Hill – contributing to E:60 and now, co-hosting a Sunday ESPN Radio show with The Undefeated’s Domonique Foxworth and Clinton Yates, The Morning Roast (9 a.m.-noon ET). Kimes, however, recently revealed a hidden hobby – Etch-A-Sketching pro athletes. Front Row asked Kimes about her unique downtime diversion.

How long has it taken you to become this proficient at sketching?
My parents gave me an Etch-A-Sketch when I was a kid, and I fiddled around with it all the time. I renewed my passion for it a couple of years ago, when my dad gave me one as a gift on my birthday.

How long have you been creating these types of sketches?
I only started doing sports-themed etches recently. . . I’d mess around with it during the commercial breaks of games – or whenever inspiration struck.

How long does it usually take you to create a sketch?
If I’m locked in, and not watching TV at the same time, it takes me anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.

Who/what has been your most difficult subject to sketch?
Faces are the hardest thing to Etch, because there are so many elements that don’t connect. It took me a while to capture the quiet despair in [Houston Texans receiver] DeAndre Hopkins‘ eyes. Throw him the ball, Brock [Osweiler, Texans quarterback]!

What can listeners look forward to on The Morning Roast?
Clinton, Domonique and I all have pretty unusual backgrounds, so I’m hoping that informs the discussion. We love sports, but we love talking about sports in the context of news, culture and business. I think it’ll be deep, and weird, and deeply weird. Funny, too.

Carrie Kreiswirth contributed to this post.

Below is a display from Mina’s preview of the 2016 NFL Playoffs, done via Etch-a-Sketch.

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