Skateboarding Superstar Ryan Sheckler - on the Cover of Latest ESPN The Magazine as a Part of the X Games Preview

Business Wire,  July 16, 2008  

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Plus: The Magazine's NFL Fantasy Preview

And: Stephen A. Smith is looking for a few good protesters

NEW YORK -- Eighteen-year-old pro skateboarder Ryan Sheckler is oftentimes ridiculed by his competitors for being a "sell out." The undeniably gifted three-time Dew Cup winner, 2007 X Games Street Gold Medal winner and reality TV star has been accused of making street skating go pop. In the new issue of ESPN The Magazine, "Just Another Lonely Millionaire Skateboarder," writer Allison Glock reports on Sheckler as he leads a pack of action athletes redefining stardom.

* "Every time somebody calls me out or tries to start something, it's motivation. I want to give them more reasons not to like me." - Ryan Sheckler

* "I have been doing tricks since I was 6 years old. I was focused and determined from that long ago. That's why I am where I am." - Ryan Sheckler

* "Personally, I think skateboarding is harder than throwing a basketball in a hoop, so I'm all for it growing up and being taken seriously. Ryan is helping do that, and he gets hated on the hardest." - Pro street skater Jereme Rogers

* "Ryan is the first legitimate teenage heartthrob in our industry. People who watch him aren't skateboarding fans, they're Ryan Sheckler fans." - Vert skater Andy Macdonald

The Sheckler piece is part of the The Magazine's X Games preview - which also includes stories on Brian Deegan and his Metal Mulisha, BMX vert legend Kevin Robinson, and actions sports stars advice on how to survive when things at the X Games don't go as planned.

Go to ESPNthemag.com for exclusive home video footage of BMX racer Donny Robinson dancing as a kid and behind the scenes video of the The Metal Mulisha photo shoot.

ESPN The Magazine's NFL Fantasy Preview gives fans insight and tips for their league draft including a position by position guide. The Magazine visits with the biggest fantasy football nut in the world - in "The Prince Who Would Be Fantasy King," writer Christopher Schultz reports on Saudi Prince Abdullah and his fantasy football obsession. NFL players Roy Williams, Keary Colbert, Clint Ingram, Drew Bennett and Laurent Robinson go head to head in a mock draft against five ESPN fantasy experts.

Stephen A. Smith remembers when athletes like Tommie Smith and John Carlos had the guts to stand up for their beliefs.

Other features in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine include:

100 MPH Or Bust. After undergoing shoulder surgery, Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya was moved to the disabled list. Now Zumaya is back and bringing the heat, pitching triple-digit fastballs once again.

Coming Full Circle. By age five, Reese Hoffa had already lost his home and his family. Throwing the shot put in the Olympic Games should be a breeze compared to the hardship of his past.

Ready Freddy. Fresh off a promising debut in Europe, Soccer phenom Freddy Adu heads into a summer of Olympics and World Cup qualifying. Will his international experience help him shine in Beijing?

Out of Reach. Basketball, or "rezball" as its known on reservations across the United States, is a faster, more physical brand of ball. Former rezball standout Devon LeBeaux saw his life drastically shift away from the sport he loved and now mentors young players so their paths do not resemble his.

***ESPN THE MAGAZINE COVERS AVAILABLE BUSINESSWIRE.COM AND ESPNMEDIAZONE.COM ***

Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN's latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

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