After seeing the #8 team in the country Boise State destroy Bowling Green on Saturday night. I was up in Detroit the next day shooting the Lions who haven’t won a game since 2007. I got to the stadium around 11 am for a 1 pm kick off. Headed down to the media room set up my laptop talk to the other photographer I was working with and headed down to the field to start shooting stock photos and look for some kind of feature photo.
As soon as I walked out of the tunnel onto the field I saw Actor Tom Curise and as he walked towards me I took a photo of him.
Nikon D700, 24-70 f2.8, 1/640th, 4000 ISO
For player introductions the players run out of a giant helmet with smoke pouring out of it. I got a decent shot of running back Kevin Smith run through the smoke.
Nikon D700, 24-70 f2.8, 1/1250th, 4000 ISO
As I headed down towards the endzone I noticed Redskins running back Clinton Portis kneeling on the sidelines getting mentally for the game.
Nikon D700, 24-70 f2.8, 1/2000th, 4000 ISO
As the game was getting started both teams looked liked they had never been part of organized football. The Redskin first play of their second possession resulted in a sack but there was a facemask penalty called.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Luckily the next play he was able to step into the pocket and make a pass.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Matthew Stafford and the Lions made their way back into the field. Stafford its under center getting ready to take a snap.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
He then attended to make a throw to wide receiver Bryant Johnson.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
One play later Stafford found Johnson for the first touchdown of the game.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
I then hustled back to the media room to transmit the photo and hope it would make some sales since it was the first touchdown of the game and the Lions are actually winning. The photo was picked up by ESPN.com as the front page. (See Below)
Towards the end of the first half Matthew Stafford scrambled for a good 20 yards down field.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
As I was standing on the Redskins sideline I noticed their head coach Zorn looking pretty pissed. I know he is on the hot seat to get fired after any game now.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
I was looking around in the stands for some fan features to shoot and I found a fan holding a funny sign.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Toward the end of the game the Redskins needed to make a drive about 80 yards down the field to get into field goal range to tie the game, but quarter back Jason Campbell dropped the ball when he was getting ready to throw.
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
Nikon D3,400mm f2.8, 1/1000th, 2500 ISO
That wrapped up the game for Detroit a kneel would get Detroits first win since 2007. I followed Schwartz Lions head coach to shake hands with Redskins head coach Zorn. I hustled back to the media room to transmit photos to try and beat all the other wire services.
Here are some clips from the game.
