Justin Timberlake was on ESPN’s SportsCenter recently, and the two co-hosts asked him 10 sports-related questions. Question No. 9 was whom he had a “man crush” on. His answer: reigning NBA MVP LeBron James.
“Man crush” is, as Urban Dictionary says, “When a straight man has a “crush” on another man, not sexual but kind of idolizing him.” It’s an odd term to me: Why “man” crush? Why not just “crush”? I guess straight guys have to make the term sound funny so everyone knows they’re not gay when they have a crush on a guy. Oh those wacky guys at ESPN. Timberlake’s answer is around 3:18 (after the jump) . . .
on May 5th, 2009 at 1:44 PM
You ask him the question with “man crush” because you want him to answer the question with a man’s name.
If you simply asked him who his sports “crush” was, who do you think he says? Maria Sharapova, Gina Carano, Candace Parker, Danica Patrick…
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:07 PM
“What male athlete do you have a crush on?”
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:18 PM
“Man crush” is a pretty commonly-used term on ESPN etc. It’s just another way of saying a person is a fan–if anything a more enlightened definition of fandom, acknowledging the homoeroticism involved in sports appreciation. Saying you have a man crush on someone doesn’t mean you are gay and it doesn’t have a homophobic undercurrent à la “no homo” or “not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Raul Ibanez
Handsome, sweet shaved head, big fella, big muscle thighs and ass. Long ball hitter and excellent defensive player in the field. Disciplined player and gives great interviews too. I am an M’s fan so I am biased. Of course those dolts didn’t meet his price when he went free agent so he’s in Philly 
OK, Danny Wilson would be a tie except he retired and broke my heart. Nicest ass in baseball, a very sweet guy and Rauls role model. Also one of the best defensive catchers of his time.
on May 5th, 2009 at 3:50 PM
“If you simply asked him who his sports “crush” was, who do you think he says?”
LeBron James
on May 5th, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I’ve used Man Crush to label my affection for a straight co-worker and vice versa. It’s not homophobic in the least.
on May 5th, 2009 at 5:11 PM
The fact that ESPN used some of their SportsCenter time to interview Justin Timberlake says it all. They’re more interested in sports as showbiz.