Posted on 05/28/2003 5:29:48 PM PDT by anncoulteriscool
Pollack passes on Playboy
By MARK SCHLABACH
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
Athens -- While helping Georgia win its first SEC championship in 20 years last season, David Pollack's popularity escalated from obscurity to college football cover boy.
But the Bulldogs' star defensive end won't be posing for Playboy magazine.
Pollack, the 2002 SEC Player of the Year, turned down an offer to pose for Playboy's All-America football team, which will be published in the August edition of the magazine. Pollack was among 22 players invited to the weeklong photo shoot in California earlier this month.
Pollack said he declined the invitation because his religious beliefs are at odds with the content of the magazine. The junior from Snellville has said he hopes to become a preacher after his football career is over.
"I was honored to be invited, of course, but I go around speaking to a lot of churches and giving my testament about living the right way," Pollack said.
"We have a responsibility as role models. Hopefully, it affects somebody when they hear you speak. When you talk to somebody about living their lives the right way and abstaining from sex until marriage, posing in Playboy would send the wrong message."
Pollack isn't the first player to turn down Playboy this year. Alabama offensive tackle Wesley Britt, the son of a minister, also declined.
"I have an opportunity to speak to a lot of kids and church groups," Britt said. "My father and coaches have always taught me to lead by example. I don't think that's the example I'd want to be setting."
Rejection is nothing new for Playboy. Last year, Oklahoma defensive tackle Tommie Harris turned the magazine down because he said it degraded women. Sooners linebacker Rocky Calmus declined in 2001, and Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel was a no-show in 1996.
Several college basketball players -- former Georgia Tech star Mark Price and North Carolina's Kenny Smith, J.R. Reid, Rasheed Wallace and Antawn Jamison -- also turned down invitations to appear in Playboy.
Pollack's coach stood behind the player's decision.
"I respect David's right to choose whether or not to go. He's a unique guy," said Mark Richt. "He's his own man."
SNUBBING THE BUNNY
College football players who declined invitations to appear in Playboy magazine on its All-America team.
YEAR NAME POSITION SCHOOL
1995 Clay Shriver center Florida State
1995 Phil Dawson kicker Texas
1996 Danny Wuerffel quarterback Florida
2000 Ben Hamilton center Minnesota
2001 Rocky Calmus linebacker Oklahoma
2001 Andre Davis receiver Virginia Tech
2002 Tommie Harris defensive tackle Oklahoma
2003 Wesley Britt offensive tackle Alabama
2003 David Pollack defensive end Georgia
No, dahling, you weren't being honored. You were being insulted.
You are honored after turning down their offer to turn a cheap trick.
Leni
I would guess that the number of extra issues would be about four.
WFTR
Bill
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.