ESPN the Magazine’s “Body Issue” hits newsstands Oct. 9, and features more than 30 male and female athletes showing off their money makers. So far ESPN has been keeping a lid on who will be in the Body Issue, but USA Today is reporting Nascar’s Carl Edwards, surfer Claire Bevilacqua, U.S. Olympic softball player Jessica Mendoza, and Adrian Peterson are among the chosen.

Here are the first pics from the spread:

Claire Bevilacqua

Carl Edwards

First look: In ESPN’s magazine, showing skin is no issue [USA Today]

The latest issue of ESPN the Magazine hits newsstands Friday and will feature Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain in the 0.01 section going head-to-head in football uniforms. Obama is decked out in Chicago Bears gear while McCain wears the uniform of his home state Arizona Cardinals. Charles Gibson is going to referee the game although the McCain camp wanted the Bill O’Reilly-Sean Hannity crew and Barack’s side was hoping for Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden should work on his broadcasting skills so he can do the highlights with Sarah Palin after the game.

Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals plays guest editor in Wednesday’s edition of ESPN the Magazine and puts to rest any thoughts of him suiting up for another team. The man that many thought would never set foot on the field in Cincy again says he could be back as early as next week’s minicamp.

From ESPN the Magazine via The Enquirer:

“Am I coming back? Of course I am. I told my coaches I’m going to California to act, but the truth is I may come back to the Bengals as early as June,” Johnson writes. “I may be crazy but I’m not stupid.”

Sounds good. But please believe, Chad’s only doing this to avoid being fined. He could lose up to $800,000 if he no-shows according to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, so he has to play nice while still wanting out of the Nati. Here’s some examples of Ocho Cinco towing the company line from the ESPN the Mag article.

“If we want to be like Indy and New England, we have to pay for difference-makers on defense. Our offense is fine. But if they’re fussing about paying me, a guy among the league’s best, you know damn well the Bengals aren’t (going to) give the defense what it needs. So I just said, `If we aren’t (going to) do what we need to do to win, can I please leave?’ It’s simple. I just told (them): `If y’all won’t change then I have to.’”

“Management told me I had a bad year. I was asked to stop being me. Okay, but how does that work? I am what some people would say is the face of Cincinnati.”

“If I can get out of Cincinnati, the sky’s the limit. What could I do in a place like Philadelphia or Dallas? It would be ridiculous. It’s (going to) be like a whole new me, like Ocho Cinco 2.0. Yeah, I like that. Ocho Cinco 2.0.”

I’m a Chad Johnson fan so I’m hoping he shows up at Cincinnati’s minicamp and acts like a professional. Everybody knows he wants out so there’s no reason to poison the locker room with his personal beef. All he needs to do is show up, work hard, and let Drew Rosenhaus work something out.. Like Chad Johnson to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chad: I’m coming back. Courtesy of The Enquirer

Chad Johnson, ESPN The Magazine, Cincinnati Bengals, sports

The online version of ESPN’s magazine has video of Allen Iverson interviewing/getting interviewed by Pusha T and Malice of the Clipse. AI speaks on Larry Brown, people looking for handouts and “a man with a suit on” robbing a bank. Starbury better watch his back now that Iverson’s flexing his hosting skills.

**YBB Update**

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij5QGOw9PSY[/youtube]

AI + Clipse: The Hook Up. Courtesy of ESPN the Magazine