Mark Sanchez: From QB to GQ
Jets rookie is already reaping the benefits of his position
By JOSH ALPER
Updated 12:02 PM EST, Tue, May 19, 2009
Mark Sanchez has been a NFL quarterback for less than a month, but he's already getting to enjoy the fringe benefits of his position. He's in the June issue of GQ, captured in various states of undress and cavorting with models on the beach. Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be guards.
The New York Post headlines it's story about the photo shoot "Flirty Sanchez," and their typically understated style leads to a collection of phrases that have never been written about Peyton Manning. "Walking sex has a new name, ladies," screams the first paragraph, and Sanchez is called "bona fide cougar bait" a short time later. Better than being bona fide defensive tackle bait.
There are fawning approvals from marketing and public relations executives, but not everyone is falling in love with Sanchez just yet.
Notes Jeffrey Jah, one of the owners of nightclub 1Oak, "My personal take on athletes is that I admire them as sportsmen, but it's the select few that actually have the je ne sais quoi for the scene. I think if we see him in W or in Interview or in Vanity Fair, then we can talk."
One wonders if Joe Namath had the je ne sais quoi for the scene. We'll assume that he did, since he pretty much was the scene, although who knows if the social currency of appearing on "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" is the same as being in W.
Jets fans won't be quite so picky, although many are avid Interview readers, and will welcome Sanchez to their scene if he can win football games. It's a safe bet that Jah and his ilk will do the same if that happens. Either way, though, Sanchez will probably be just fine with his youth, fame, money and that whole walking sex thing he's got going on.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
Copyright NBC Local Media
First Published: May 19, 2009 6:59 AM EST
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