1998: The Year of the Ugly
(This is a bit old, so apologies if you’ve already seen this, but if you haven’t, hopefully it will bring a small schadenfreudic1 smile to your face.)
Writer Jeff Pearlman, remembering one of his favorite moments from his days at SI and a classic gaffe from People Magazine2:
The magazine chose Rich Gannon as its Sexiest Athlete. At the time, Gannon was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Still a couple of seasons removed from his golden tenure with the Raiders, Gannon was 33, handsome and likable. In other words, a solid choice. Yet People, being People, simply informed the photographer assigned to the piece that the Sexiest Athlete was the Chiefs’ quarterback. Hence, he took pictures of the Chiefs’ quarterback. Well, one of the Chiefs’ quarterbacks: Elvis Grbac.
Yup.
The pictures made their way back to the New York offices, and editors were dumbfounded. This was their Sexiest Athlete? Yet upon learning the truth, no one with the magazine had the heart (guts?) to tell Grbac that an unfathomable mistake had been made. As a result, Elvis Grbac reigns as People’s 1998 Sexiest Athlete.
That’s cold. But we love it.
1 Not a real word. Settle down Michigan grads.
2 And that should be the last time you ever see the words “People Magazine” printed around these parts.
“Not a real word” I think you meant. You’re just begging the wolverines to comment :)
Hilarious story.
My favorite Grbac memory was when he played for the Ravens, and hailed as the Franchise QB, folded under the pressure and broke down crying after Ray Lewis yelled at him. He retired soon afterwards.
Now all you scUM fans don’t get all mad at me. Despite the fact Tyrone Wheatley was a complete flop as well, Amani Toomer is my favorite Giants WR ever. Yes I said it.
Plus they’ll always have Tom Brady
8 more weeks…..
55 days, 1 hour,and 45 minutes to be precise
GO BUCKS!!!
Hey, just about the same amount of time between the Michigan game and the BCS national championship game!!! That’s not a long wait, right?
Gotta love the sultry extension of the bare foot. Michigan is to sexy as Charlie Weis is to healthy.
Isn’t that a Cleveland St. Joe’s helmet under the bench? That may be the best looking item in the picture.
It is. And you’re absolutely right.
Attention all Buckeye fans: If you can’t wait till OSU-USC on 9/12, then head to your nearest Gamestop and pick up NCAA Football ‘10 on Tuesday. I can’t wait to play against USC and wipe the floor with them on a consistent basis. Word is Justin Boren is ranked higher than TP on the game.
The “unofficial” start to college football begins on Tuesday.