Hefty Vince Wilfork in ESPN’s ‘Body’ issue, what will reaction be?

There is zero debate of when Vince Wilfork owned the fashion world. That would be the moment the Houston Texans nose tackle was seen in “Hard Knocks” last summer strutting around oh-so confidently in his shirtless overalls look. It slew Twitter and put Wilfork in the sartorial royalty, at least as far as the NFL is concerned.

Now that status is taking the next step. Wilfork is baring all — or as much as he can — for ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue,” which has sort of become a bizarre cousin to Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition.

“I know I don’t have the six-packs and the eight-packs and all that … but I’m perfectly fine with what I am,” Wilfork said in an ESPN press release on Tuesday. “If people can look at me, look at a guy that’s 325-plus [pounds] doing an issue like this, I’m pretty sure that they might have a little confidence after seeing that it’s OK to be who you are.”

Yeah, about that: Wilfork has been listed as 325 since about the day he left Miami to join the New England Patriots, but it’s a weight of suspicious veracity. Some believe he has touched the high 360s, or perhaps even in the 370 range at some point through his mostly exceptional career.

Is this going to be another Prince Fielder situation? Two years ago, Fielder graced the issue and drew a wide range of responses. Many, though, were impressed with Fielder’s self-confidence in posing strategically nude and baring all for a lot of judgy eyes.

With Wilfork, we’re talking about a man who is not that much taller but at least 50 pounds heavier. We frankly can’t wait to see how he’s displayed. And as one who could stand to shave off a few doughnuts ourself, we salute Big Vince.

Other NFL players participating in the “Body Issue” include Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller of the Denver Broncos. Both have had busy summers in the spotlight. But Wilfork definitely threatens to steal both of their thunder with this spread.