Erin Andrews' 'Dirty' Photo Shoot for GQ

It's been about a month since video of an unknowing Erin Andrews naked in her hotel room surfaced on the Internet, sparking a cultural, philosophical and sexual firestorm of conversation. Andrews, reportedly and understandably distressed by the situation, hasn't appeared on ESPN's airwaves since. But she surfaces in GQ this month in a photo shoot that brings to mind the same sex-charged issues that bubbled when the video shook the Internet.

The shoot actually took place before the video incident, but its unveiling arrives just as the video had shifted towards the back of public consciousness. In it, she stands as the center of attention for an anonymous football team, alternatively playing the role of sexy reporter and sexy, um, teammate, joining the boys with matching shoulder pads and caked on mud. No matter the character, Andrews is portrayed as a sex symbol.

Are these pictures a big deal? Would they matter as much if the video had never been filmed? These are the subjects of debate that arise from the photo shoot, but is the conversation warranted?

Personally, I think the shoot is pretty innocuous (especially in this day and age in which risque reigns) and will unfairly suffer criticism because of the video. Of course, it's not Andrews' fault, she had no idea the turn her life would take when she participated in the shoot. Just like it's not Andrews' fault that she's attractive and in demand.

Unfortunately, still, most opinions about the photo shoot will be informed by the events that have taken place since, as will most of her future moves in the public eye. That's a shame for a woman who signed up for a harmless feature in a reputable magazine.

There's an accompanying interview to the shoot, as well, in which Andrews touches on her future plans in life and love.

While Andrews has starred in ESPN's coverage of college football, she wants to one day jump to the NFL: "No doubt. But right now, the college game, I'm enamored with it. I grew up in the South. It's a religion."

She also plans to move to New York eventually, saying "Jesse Palmer always says to me, 'What are you waiting for?' I have no ties to Atlanta, so ideally, I'll get there ASAP and start playing."

And, of course, the obligatory question about her love life: "I've always looked out for my career first. That's not to say I don't want to have kids and get married. But the guys I've dated are happy I'm not calling them twenty-four-seven. They've got their own stuff going on; that's a good fit for me."

Andrews is expected to return to ESPN for the start of college football season. GQ has more photos and video of Andrews on their website.