Men haven't handled seeing a naked man on a magazine cover very well
Women have become all-too used to seeing naked women everywhere we look.
It’s impossible to escape; billboards, packaging and of course, on newspapers and magazines.
But when the tables turned for a change and ESPN magazine featured a scantily-clad man on its cover, a bunch of men just couldn’t get their heads around it.
You can now add "cover boy" to Zeke's resume. pic.twitter.com/DSS8r0Jzef
— ESPN (@espn) June 26, 2017
For its ninth body issue, it had alternative covers featuring nude portraits of Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics and Zeke Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys.
And Elliott’s cover caused quite a stir among certain male Twitter users, namely expressions of disgust and homophobic comments.
SPORTS. THE S STANDS FOR SPORTS. NOT STRIPPERS
— low key squidward (@ewwitzclutchy) June 26, 2017
“You can now add ‘homosexual’ to his resume…” wrote one, while another said “Didn’t need to see this before breakfast”.
“ESPN is straight garbage now,” one disgruntled customer declared.
But others rushed to the cover’s defence.
“Apparently none of them have seen a picture of a man’s chest and thigh before. They all need to get out more,” wrote one.
Another said: “Dude looks good and you know it!”
It's only ok to objectify women. We know. We get it.
— yvette wood (@yvettewood16) June 26, 2017
And others pointed out that if it was a woman on the cover, there wouldn’t be a problem whatsoever.
One user replied to the ‘breakfast’ comment with: “But if it was a woman, it would be ok, right?
“ESPN, feel free to have as many naked men on your cover as possible!”
It's a shame, really. Their pre-concieved prejudices will always keep them from appreciating something beautiful.
— Wonder Jennie (@JennieK_NS) June 28, 2017
While another commented on a similar post: “…but you didn’t say that about the swimsuit issue, did you?”
And it’s true that for the cover that features super-naked Caroline Wozniacki, it hasn’t got nearly as much criticism – and plenty of praise.
Caroline Wozniacki is ready for Wimbledon … and the cover of ESPN’s ninth annual Body Issue. pic.twitter.com/MjpJFCmESE
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2017
Some food for thought.
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