Behind-the-Scenes With ESPN's New Body Issue

ESPN released behind-the-scenes photos from the ninth Body Issue is out, featuring 23 elite athletes all together in the altogether.

This roster of athletes participating in this year’s theme, “Every Body Has a Story,” includes former tennis #1 Caroline Wozniacki, the UFC’s “Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson, Boston Celtics All-Star Isaiah Thomas, six members of the U.S. women’s national hockey team, and NFL stars Ezekiel Elliott and Julian Edelman.

In addition to those athletes, other featured sports include the Olympics, the WNBA, the NHL, and rugby.

The Olympic silver medalist skier Gus Kenworthy reported this response from his family to his posing: “My mom said, ‘You’re so brave,’ which is maybe not the reaction that I wanted.”

The Body Issue is now on newsstands. Take a look at the covers and behind the scenes photos below.

(ESPN)

NFL player Ezekiel Elliott photographed by Kwaku Alston at STUDIOS 1019 in Dallas, Texas. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Former Marine Kirstie Ennis during a photo shoot with photographer Peter Yang in Joshua Tree National Park, California. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Hockey players Joe Thornton and Brent Burns during a photo shoot with photographer Ramona Rosales in Los Gatos, California. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Softball player A.J. Andrews photographed by Peter Hapak at the Harper Dry Lake in Hinkley, California. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy photographed by Ben Lowy at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in Mammoth Lakes, California. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Baseball player Javier Báez photographed by Dylan Coulter at the Coolidge Municipal Airport in Coolidge, Arizona. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Basketball player Nneka Ogwumike photographed by Sara Hirakawa and Mark Williams at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

Soccer player Julie Johnston and football player Zach Ertz photographed by Carlos Serrao at the Razor House in La Jolla, California. (Eric Lutzens for ESPN)

Eric Lutzens

MMA fighter Michelle Waterson photographed by Mark Seliger at the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness area (Bisti Badlands) in Farmington, New Mexico. (Karen Frank for ESPN)

Karen Frank