Well, here we are just two days from what everyone in the sports world is dubbing Super Bowl XLI 1/2. Will it live up to the hype? I hope so, but it will be hard to top last years AFC championship. That was one of the best games I've ever seen. The atmosphere in the second half at the RCA Dome was more than electric. It was undescribable. It was a marked difference from the first half when the Patriots shelled the Colts for 21 quick points. After Marlin Jackson intercepted the pass the sealed the game, it was absolute pandemonium. I photographed people crying out of joy. While this game is carrying more hype than maybe it should, it does have a great deal of significance. This game could very well determine who goes to the Super Bowl this season. Sunday's winner will very likely end up with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Considering the Colts were undefeated at home last season, and the Patriots are equally tough to beat on their home field, especially in January, Anyone hoping to make it to the show will play in one of these two teams' backyards. This game is the game of the season without question.
I'll be there shooting the game from the sidelines, which will likely be packed full of media personnel. I'm planning to get to the Dome four hours early in anticipation of the crowd and the mayhem. While most people assume drawing this kind of assignment would be a dream job, let me just say that it is no picnic. I'm not complaining. I get to go to these kinds of events, and get paid to do it, but there is a ridiculous amount of work involved. My day will most likely be around 16 hours, counting drive time. For an idea of what I have on my person when covering this type of game, check out this post. Then imagine me running up and down the sideline with all of that, dodging sound dish guys, cable pullers and the big boom truck that holds the mobile TV camera platform ... oh yeah and about 20 other photographers trying to get to the same spot.
It is a lot of work, but when everything is said and done, it's all worth it to me. Sometimes I just wish I could take one person (out of the countless people who ask) to help carry equipment. Unfortunately, Sports Illustrated hasn't realized that they need me just yet, so I don't get the benefit of an assistant. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it, and all weekend, I'll be plotting my game plan to get myself in the right position at the right time. Have fun and enjoy the game.
