ESPN Magazine’s ‘Body Issue’ is traditionally a celebration of the ripped, the beautiful, the Adonises of pro sports.
But this time, Houston Texan Vince Wilfork dropped the robe to reveal almost all of his 6-foot 2-inch, 325-pound frame. And in the process, he offers a powerful stripped down message.
"I'm pretty sure there's somebody (who will say), 'He's obese and he's this.’ … Oh well. I'm proud of who I am," Wilfork said in an ESPN interview during the photo shoot.
And pride is exactly what other people are seeing.
Forget the overalls. Vince Wilfork bared all for this year's #BodyIssue cover.
The full issue drops July 6. pic.twitter.com/UBtedTLxnx
— ESPN (@espn) June 30, 2016"It's a great motivation for everyone out there," said Abigal Flores, a Houstonian on a bicycle ride through Buffalo Bayou Park.
Commenters on our KHOU 11 Facebook page said his "confidence is awesome."
Another said: "SEXY! Confidence!"
And KHOU Viewer Holly Harrison wrote: "I am glad that he did this and I applaud ESPN for using him on their cover. It shows that people can be proud of themselves for whatever they have done and not hide or be ashamed to show themselves just because they aren't the "perfect" size. It's about time that magazines show real human beings being real. Everyone has something to be proud of, just as everyone has faults, and actual people come in all sizes, shapes, and colors."
"But it's good to be confident like that," said Natalia Cruz. "Confident in himself and confident in your body so that people can see you don't have to be all ripped up to be in shape."
"I think it's awesome," said Tony Washington. "I think if anybody in his position feels the way he does, if he's an athlete working as hard as anybody else, doesn't matter what your body looks like. As long as you feel good in your own skin, that's what matters."
And that's exactly what the magazine intends to do with its annual ‘Body Issue’: celebrate all body types, whether it's previously featured athletes like Houston Rocket Dwight Howard, paralympic athlete Sarah Reinertsen, or this year, Big Vince.
"Honestly I think this is a good message for people that aren't as confident in being seen this way," said Washington.
So the message of confidence from a near naked two-time Super Bowl Champion? If he's comfortable in his skin, the rest of us should be able to find that confidence too.
Wilfork admits that he will probably try to lose some weight after his football career is over. But as one of the top nose guards and defensive tackles in the NFL, being an "immovable object" is part of his successful arsenal.
For more from the 2016 Body Issue, check out espn.com/bodyissue. And pick up a copy on newsstands starting July 6.