Sunday’s Best returns off hiatus with this year’s version of the most interesting tattoos in sports. One of our most viewed posts, SSC figured we’d renew the lease and give you more of what you crave for.
We begin this three-part series with a look at a healthy mixture of veterans, superstars and one up-and-coming rook getting buck wild in the ink game…
ANTREL ROLLE, New York Giants
Antrel went to see his fav inkman this spring to celebrate his team’s triumph in Super Bowl XLVI. Rolle decided on a tat of his SB ring cascading down his left shoulder with a shot of himself along with the words, “All In!” amid the backdrop of the NYC skyline on his left breast. I guess dude needed a compliment to the University of Miami “U” tat that covers his right deltoid. Phat design.
PATRICK WILLIS, San Francisco 49ers
Willis is a flat-out beast for the Niners and his tat game is equally outstanding as well. Dude’s intricate design pattern includes the words, “Humble but Hungry” across the top of his chest along with several other descriptive words like “Passion” “Titan” and “Prototype.” Scripture rests on PW’s left side torso and the words, “I’m Me” decorate his inner left and right biceps, respectively. Solid artwork for a solid linebacker.
JOSE REYES, Miami Marlins
Reyes revisited New York recently to get an upgrade on his tat game. The sensational shortstop got left breast work done with words that best describes himself: Una Sola Cara…Un Solo Corazon…Real. Translated, One faith, One heart. Real. Reyes has several faces (of his kids) on his person in ink as well. Motivational scripture is located on his right side torso. Tight tat game for Reyes.
DESEAN JACKSON, Philadelphia Eagles
Desean plays football on the East coast but definitely reps the West. An L.A. native and former Cali Golden Bears standout, Jackson has the words “South Central” covering both his biceps respectively and “Hollywood” and the “W” logo (for Westside, not Washington) are part of his forearm design pattern. Desean sees himself as a lion in a kingdom of pass defenders, which explains the lion head on his right arm as well. D-Jax may be slight of stature but not slight of ink.
THOMAS ROBINSON, Sacramento Kings
T-Rob arrives in the NBA fully tatted on both arms and his upper chest. Among his ink cornucopia include the words, “Born to Lose” (right front shoulder), “Built to Win” (left front shoulder); “R.I.P. Ali 1991-2007” a tribute to his murdered cousin on his right bicep and that same Washington Nationals “W” logo, his design repping his native D.C. But Robinson’s favorite is the “Success is Nothing Without Failure” cursive design that shields his right deltoid. T-Rob clearly knows that journey.
NICK YOUNG, Philadelphia 76ers
Slick Nick opts for the multiple chest tat design, leaving his arms ink-free. Star designs cover each shoulder blade with the words “Faith” and “Second chance” accompanying the holy cross, bible and pair of wings artwork that obviously reveals Nick’s spiritual side. Scripture covers Young’s stomach area as well. Nick Young is a star on the rise which may explain that Converse “All-Star” design on his right side.
CC SABATHIA, New York Yankees
The Yanks ace pitcher has a fiery design pattern streaming from his right arm which may signify the heat that he unleashes on opposing batters. The name “Sabathia” is sprawled across CC’s back in a similar flame-like design. But CC’s forearm design is superbly intricate and serves as the highlight of his tat game.
JASON TERRY, Boston Celtics
The Jet is at it again. Predicting ‘chips before they actually hatch. This time, the bold sharpshooter adds the Celtics leprechaun—twirling the Larry O ‘chip trophy—to his tat arsenal. Terry also has his native Seattle skyline featured on his right breast. Celtics is synonymous with NBA titles. We’ll have to see if Terry in a Boston uniform is as well.
MARTELLUS BENNETT, New York Giants
This former Dallas Cowboy is a giant when it comes to tats. Bennett’s ink design pattern is an upper body affair that includes the words, “Against All Odds” across the top of his chest, money bags on his right shoulder blade, the love-hate masks on his left; the old Houston Astros logo covers his right bicep, repping his native Houston. There’s a detailed design pattern on each of Martellus’s breasts with a pic of a heart w/keyhole inscribed on the left chest. The key dangles below. Scripture is typed along Bennett’s right side: “Creative soul marching to the beat of his own drum Confusing minds and protecting one. One mind, one heart, one passion, one love.” Bennett is clearly the NFL’s Radio Raheem.
CHRIS BOSH, Miami Heat
Not sure what Posh Bosh is trying to achieve with his back tats but there is a mix of birds, branches, music symbols and a God-like head image along the top of the back. A woman embracing a skull is also located on the base of Bosh’s back. Indicative in a way. Bosh is a mess. So it only follows that his backside would be as well.
NEXT WEEK: THE WRIGHT STUFF, BOLD BACKSIDES, RICED INK AND MEGA-TATS!
