2009
The 2009 edition of Playboy's Pigskin Preview did not feature a team photo for the first time in history. The primary reason for this is budgetary, but there also appears to be some moral concerns by certain players. Whether this is a trend or a coincidence remains to be seen. In any event, fans of the annual section hope that the photo spread returns soon.
Appearing in Playboy,
Without the Photos
Oklahoma Sports Columnist John Rhode
August 24, 2009
There is a local flavor in the September issue of Playboy, but no
photographic proof.
Oklahoma is picked No. 1 in Playboy’s Pigskin Preview. Defending champ
Florida was No. 2, followed by Texas, USC and Penn State. Oklahoma State
was tabbed 10th.
Due to budget cuts, there was no Pigskin photo shoot last spring, a time
when team members normally gather at a sunny location.
Had there been a photo shoot, the magazine’s quarterback likely would
have been a no-show, and so would two backup selections.
Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford was chosen as this year’s
All-American quarterback. OU officials said they would not have
nominated Bradford for the honor and firmly believe he would not have
attended a photo shoot (had there been one) because of moral
differences.
OU defensive tackle Tommie Harris and Sooners linebacker Rocky Calmus
previously turned down invitations to appear in Playboy for the same
reason.
The magazine likely would have had to defer all the way down to its
fourth choice at quarterback.
Last summer, Florida’s Tim Tebow was selected as Playboy’s quarterback.
He refused to appear in the magazine, which instead chose West
Virginia’s Pat White.
Citing similar morality issues, Texas officials said they also would not
have nominated Colt McCoy for the magazine’s honor.
That means if Playboy was adamant about having its quarterback pictured
with the rest of its Pigskin Preview team, Mississippi’s Jevan Snead
might have been the pick.
Oddly enough, Bradford, McCoy and Tebow wound up in the September issue
anyway and are pictured standing side-by-side.
Also selected for this year’s team were tight end Jermaine Gresham and
defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of OU, plus wide receiver Dez Bryant and
offensive tackle Russell Okung of OSU.
OU’s Bob Stoops was named the All-American team’s coach.
