Hot Clicks: Alex Morgan to appear in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Get previous editions of Hot Clicks | Follow Jimmy Traina on Twitter | Subscribe to the Hot Clicks Podcast | Join the Hot Clicks Facebook Group | E-mail a comment, question or link.

Three females athletes will appear in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issue, which comes out next Tuesday, Feb. 14. The trio will be part of the popular "bodypaint" feature. One of the athletes featured is U.S. women's soccer star (and blogosphere favorite), Alex Morgan. The picture above is just a sneak peek, but Hot Clicks touched base with Morgan to get her thoughts on the big event. (For more info, follow Swimsuit on Twitter and Facebook.)

SI.com: Did you have any reservations about doing the bodypaint?

Morgan: Initially I was a little nervous, but this opportunity doesn't come everyday. I wanted to involve my family with my decision and it helped that they were very supportive. After the initial reaction of nerves, I was so excited to start shooting, and honored to be included with such an amazing group of athletes and models.

SI.com: What was more intimidating: posing in bodypaint or taking on Japan in the World Cup finals?

Morgan: I have been playing soccer my entire life. I know how to stay calm and not get too nervous for games. That's why I would have to say posing in bodypaint was a little more intimidating. It was a completely new experience and definitely took some getting used to before I felt comfortable in bodypaint. I had to look in the mirror every five minutes to make sure I actually had a swimsuit on.

SI.com: What other female athletes should be body painted for Swimsuit next year?

Morgan: I think that athletes have amazing bodies, and my teammates are a great example. They work so hard day in and day out to compete at the highest level, and their bodies reflect their hard work.

SI.com: If you could change things up and see any male athlete in Swimsuit, who would you choose?

Morgan: I watch a lot of sports, so I'd say some athletes like Rafael Nadal, Blake Griffin, or C.J. Wilson would be great candidates for Swimsuit. But I also have to add Ryan Gosling after seeing all the movies he was in this past year.

Swimsuit Scoop

Alex Morgan :: Kayt Jones/Sports Illustrated

Anybody know what the hell the Celtics were doing at the beginning of their game against the Lakers last night?

Show Offs

Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilisis engaged toTom Brady's sister. ... Rob Gronkowski attended last night's Lakers-Celtics game. He didn't dance, but he did take a picture with Kobe Bryant. ... Yes, there is a Jeremy Linsong. ... Half a second after scoring a goal last night, Flyers forward Scott Hartnellthrew down and started a fight.

Random Links

A couple of days ago, you voted in Hot Clicks' NFL announcers poll. Here is a summary of the results.For favorite lead play-by-play announcer, Al Michaels blew away the competition with 57.39 percent of the vote. It was the most votes anyone received in any category. Jim Nantz came in second (11.9 percent), while Mike Tirico (10.52 percent) Brad Nessler (10.16 percent) and Joe Buck (10.04) basically tied for the final spot.

For favorite lead analyst, Cris Collinsworth (27 percent) beat out Troy Aikman (22.27 percent) and Jon Gruden (18.87 percent) followed by Mike Mayock (10.85 percent), Phil Simms (10.74) and Ron Jaworski (10.26 percent).

For favorite secondary play-by-play man, Greg Gumbel (21.05 percent) and Marv Albert (19.52 percent) took lead honors with Kevin Harlan (13.27 percent) finishing third. In what I consider an upset and a joke, Dick Stockton (13.26 percent) beat Ian Eagle (9.46 percent).

Favorite secondary analyst produced the most stunning results in my opinion based on what I see on Twitter each Sunday. Daryl "Moose" Johnston won the category (23.78 percent) while Dan Fouts (18.9 percent) and Dan Dierdorf (14.94 percent) rounded out the top three. Sadly, 10.69 percent of Hot Clicks Nation voted for Tony Siragusa.

The category that produced the most interesting and tightest results was favorite pregame show host. The men who finished 1-2 couldn't have more opposite personalities as Bob ("Don't you dare celebrate a TD") Costas (25.5 percent) narrowly edged out Chris Berman (24.92 percent). James Brown was right there with them at 23.8 percent.

Lastly, Terry Bradshaw (22.68 percent) took favorite pregame show analyst honors while Howie Long (18.28 percent) and Tony Dungy (16.44) rounded out the top three.

Since Al Michaels had the biggest win and produced a blowout like no other, I feel like we should honor him in some way. So, here is his greatest television moment. And, no, it's not the Miracle on Ice call.

And The Winners Are...

Al Michaels :: Marc Bryan-Brown/Getty Images

Listen to TNT's Kevin Harlan and his analysts completely lose it after a Russell Westbrook dunk last night.

Speaking Of Announcers...

Since Alex Morgan is bringing new eyeballs to Hot Clicks, here is our archive page where you can get past editions, here is our Facebook pageand here is our Twitter feed.

FYI

Here is the latest installment of This Week in Unnecessary Censorship.

Jimmy Kimmel Video Of The Day

It's funny enough when an anchor has no clue who she is interviewing. It's even better than the unknown guests start rambling about how to have great sex. (Thanks to Zack, of San Diego, for the video.)

Local News Video Of The Day