If you think you’ve seen everything from this year’s “Body Issue” athletes – think again.
In celebration of ESPN The Magazine’s sixth annual Body Issue on newsstands today, Front Row shares some behind-the-scenes stories from those who see it all: The Mag’s Neely Lohmann, senior deputy editor; Nancy Weisman, senior deputy photo editor; Stacey Pressman, writer and contributor:
Of swimmer Michael Phelps, The Mag says: “He came to the set in a full beard and we were concerned he’d be unrecognizable for the cover – he agreed, and from there, we shaved his beard! He also shared that this was his first time being fully naked in a pool. He also did not tell his mother he was doing this. We ran into her while filming his practice – we’re sure he told her, eventually.”
Of tennis player Venus Williams, The Mag says: “Her shoot took place in a rock quarry in Miami. It was otherworldly – and in the middle of nowhere, with turkey vultures circling overhead and a huge hill of sand to climb. Despite the elements, she seemed to enjoy herself all day, laughing often.”
Of extreme sports star Travis Pastrana [with wife Lyn-Z Pastrana], The Mag says: “Quite possibly one of the most fun shoots ever: even though Travis was limping from a recent injury, they invited us out to their 20-acre home, complete with foam pit, skate park, BMX park, and motocross jumps. It was freezing cold and started to rain, so they decided to start a mud fight.”
Of tennis star Tomas Berdych, The Mag says: “After nailing tennis balls into the desert all day, we were informed that they were all regulation tournament balls that had to be returned – so the whole crew literally wandered the desert to find them.”
BONUS: NFL star Larry Fitzgerald (top) and NBA star Serge lbaka outtake photos:
