A professor and an economist have ranked the handsomeness of NFL quarterbacks using their facial symmetry to determine how attractive someone is perceived. The winner? Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons. Writes Reed Alborgotti in the Wall Street Journal online:
According to researchers, [Ryan's] face is almost perfectly symmetrical-a trait that shows a strong correlation to a person’s perceived attractiveness. While the average person’s face is somewhere around 90% symmetrical, Mr. Ryan scored a 99.8%, which puts him in elite territory. Ursinus College professor Jennifer VanGilder and former student Lisle O’Neill, who conducted the study in conjunction with Southern Utah University economist David Berri, said Mr. Ryan isn’t the only NFL signal-caller with a nicely balanced face. In fact, every starter in the league scored above 96%.
The story notes, of course, that facial symmetry is not the only measure of attractiveness (New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez ranks #20 among starters and Jessica Simpson’s ex-boytoy Tony Romo ranks #23).
Here is the Top 10 based on facial symmetry:
Matt Ryan (Atlanta), 99.82%
Brett Favre (Minnesota), 99.78%
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay), 99.59%
Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle), 99.56%
Kerry Collins (Tennessee), 99.49%
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh), 99.43%
Shaun Hill (San Francisco), 99.35%
Tom Brady (New England), 99.14%
Philip Rivers (San Diego), 99.04%
Kurt Warner (Arizona), 98.98%
Hmmm, all white QBs. Wonder what that’s about?
Of the Top 10, only Ryan and Rodgers (minus his Grizzly Adams beard) do anything for me. I can barely stand to look at Favre, but mainly because he’s acted like a dick the past year. The QBs I find the hottest are Brady Quinn, Alex Smith, Joey Harrington and Peyton Manning. Those are my faves, what about yours? And do you buy the “facial symmetry” idea? I find the whole package makes up attractiveness for me, not just the shape of their face.
on Aug 30th, 2009 at 5:53 PM
I’m with you; it’s more than the face. And thanks for mentioning that they’re all caucasian; there may be racial bias in that symmetry thing…
on Aug 30th, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Didn’t they do the same thing last year? The “facial symmetry” rings a bell.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 1:42 AM
Joe:
I’ve seen symmetry mentioned when discussing actors and actresses, but have not seen it applied to sports.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 6:17 AM
I’d give him high marks for his nice personality, but symmetry? Does seem more like subjective personal preference than science.
But I’ll assume their method is sound. It suggests that sport is entertainment. People are entertained (stimulated) by prettiness. No surprise there.
I’d like to know how many “sexy” but banged up linebackers got the lower ratings. Maybe the system was blinded by blondness.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 6:48 AM
Maybe it’s just me but I find superior athleticism sexy, which is more than just a “good luck.”
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 9:44 AM
I don’t like anyone on that list but Philip Rivers…Where is Trent Edwards on that list??
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Mark Sanchez is not No. 1? This “test” is garbage.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I agree with basejock- Philip Rivers is very hot…
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 2:29 PM
I figured they’d be all white quarterbacks since the test on “symmetry” is probably based on European standards of beauty. Donovan McNabb is one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen in life ever.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Trent Edwards is the hottest QB without a doubt. This survey is a joke. Aaron Rodgers? Cmon now!
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 5:41 PM
does alex smith even count as a QB these days?
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 6:06 PM
There was something last year. I knew it. I wrote about the ESPN hosts talking about it. http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2008/12/19/espn-analysts-debate-best-looking-qb/
The link in the post to the Kansas City Star article has expired, but the link below (to a NY Times article) refers to it. It’s the third item down, and was written by one of the researchers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/sports/playmagazine/14OFFTHEFIELD.html
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 10:18 PM
LOL….someone wasted time on a study like this. Hmm…I agree with Tom Brady…thats it.
on Aug 31st, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Maybe it just so happens lots of people prefer white meat… god knows I do.
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Depending on the sample size and who was questioned you could find 10 studies with completely different lists. I can’t believe this thing was actually credit worthy to pass as a “study”
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 6:07 AM
Roethlisberger, Favre, Collins and Aaron Rodgers are all pretty ugly in my book. Facially ugly anyway.
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 8:29 AM
When I look at the photos of men in the advertisement on this page for Atlantis cruises, I think the quarterbacks named would fit right into the crowd of cookie-cutter beautiful models.
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 10:38 AM
are they sure about Roethlisberger?
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 11:57 AM
1. Not only is Hasselbeck not the least bit attractive, but even if he were, he gets points deducted for marrying that little witch Elizabeth from The View. 2. Warner also gets points deducted for being a right wing religious nut. 3. Roethlisberger? Are you kidding me? P.S. Thanks for pointing out the racial bias.
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 6:15 PM
For the last time, Matt Hasselbeck is Elizabeth’s brother in law!
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Just a little clarification: there’s no way for the study to be racially biased; it is literally simply a measure of how geometrically symmetrical peoples’ faces are. So you take a picture of the person’s face straight on, divide it into quadrants, and see if the eyes are evenly spaced and exactly horizontal, if the nose is perfectly centered, if the mouth is evenly full on both sides etc.
The science behind this is something pretty solidly accepted in psychological circles; numerous studies have shown that people (all people — these are massive studies with hundreds of thousands of participants of all races and ethnicities) prefer symmetrical faces. This isn’t the only factor in determining attractiveness, but if given pictures of faces and no other information, people almost always pick the most symmetrical out as the most attractive.
I would say that the reason the top ten are Caucasian is because only 8 of the 40 potential starting quarterbacks in the NFL are African American. That’s a pretty small group, and so there simply are fewer options to choose from.
For my personal preference, I think Kurt Warner is the most handsome NFL quarterback, and Donovan McNabb and Brady Quinn would probably duke it out for second.
on Sep 2nd, 2009 at 6:21 AM
Just because a face is geometrically symmetrical doesn’t mean it’s good looking. I don’t fine any of the quarterbacks on this list particularly good looking and a few of them are quite ugly in my book. This is some silly ass research if you aske me.
I can’t believe people got grant money to study this crap.
on Sep 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Brett Favre is gorgeous and he has a smile that lights up the room.
I’d hit it.
on Sep 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 PM
I kinda agree w/ossurworld. The cookie cutter eye appeal/symmetry thing seems to be at work in the advertising world too. Sure a classically handsome fella w/a square jaw and dimple will turn heads but I find dudes w/unusual or even extreme facial features catch my eye as well. Love the shaved head look that makes most folks gag too so I am an outlier I guess LOL
on Sep 2nd, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Actually most of the QBs dont really do it for me.. Cute, but not HOT! Now, bring in the Tight End discussion and I will have plenty to say!!!! WOOF!
on Sep 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 AM
David Carr.
on Sep 4th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Where the hell is David Carr?
on Sep 4th, 2009 at 2:57 PM
This dealt with starters and Carr is a backup.
on Mar 3rd, 2010 at 2:28 PM
Ben Is HOT!!!
on Aug 6th, 2010 at 8:15 AM
Peyton Manning isn’t on the list? Are you kidding me? He’s the sexiest player in the NFL, not just quarterbacks. I would munch that tight, pink ass for hours then pound it and munch on it some more. Not to mention, I would have my tongue down his throat the entire time.
on Apr 1st, 2011 at 3:31 PM
Ben is UGLY!!!!! So is Rodgers.
the good looking QBs are
Kurt Warner (till last year at least)
Tom Brady
Shaun Hill
Tony Romo
Mark Sanchez
Tim Tebow
on Dec 2nd, 2011 at 7:10 AM
1: Philip Rivers, hands down!
2: Tom Brady
3: Mark Sanchez
4: Tony Romo
5: Tim Tebow
All the rest are not particularly good looking, especially Ben Roethlisberger! That’s probably why he’s always being accused of rape. Brett Farve and Kurt Warner do not play anymore, however, both are attractive men.