OK, we’re treading perilously close to TMZ here, but there’s a story currently up on Deadspin that cracks me up because it so perfectly encapsulates Rich Gannon’s pre-Raiders NFL career.

According to Sports Illustrated writer Jeff Pearlman, Elvis Grbac was crowned People Magazine’s Sexiest Athlete of 1998 — by mistake. Editors had selected Gannon for the distinction. But a sports-ignorant photographer, assigned to shoot the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, got the wrong one. The People people were too embarrassed to tell Grbac, so they let him remain Mr. Sexy for 1998.

And isn’t that Rich Gannon in a nutshell?

In K.C., and in Washington and Minnesota before that, Gannon was often considered the best quarterback on the roster by teammates and opponents. But without a classic QB’s build or a powerful arm, he was repeatedly bypassed in favor of mediocre passers. It took Jon Gruden to fully recognize Gannon’s talent.

In other words, People Magazine selected Elvis Grbac by mistake. And so did Marty Schottenheimer, and Richie Petitbon and Jerry Burns.

I’m wondering if someone tipped off ESPN in 1992, telling them the Vikings’ quarterback was articulate and insightful and would make a great studio host — and the network auditioned Sean Salibury instead of Gannon.

If there is any consolation for the People photographer, it’s that the all-business Gannon probably would have been annoyed and chippy over the whole Sexiest Athlete thing.