Athlete Declines Playboy Offer

Many men are fond of Playboy magazine. The reasons are varied. Some men like the photographs of nude and scantily dressed women. Others like Playboy for the articles, or so they say. Playboy, though, is not a magazine for everyone.

Ben Hamilton had a chance to appear in Playboy.

He is the center on the University of Minnesota football team. Playboy wanted to include him in its October issue in a group photo of its preseason All-America team. He said no.

Hamilton said that as a Christian he couldn’t bring himself to appear in the magazine even though everyone he checked with assured him the team would be presented tastefully.

“It’s a big honor to be named,” Hamilton said. “It was a hard decision. It just came down to something I didn’t want to be associated with. I’ve seen the magazine, and I know what it’s about. It’s not something I want to be part of.”

He has taken some razzing from friends about his decision, which includes asking that his name not be mentioned in the magazine.

He also has heard from people who like what he did.

“I’ve gotten more support than I thought I would,” Hamilton said. “People respect you for what you believe in.”