Who can’t get excited for a Sunday Night Football game with both Tom Brady and Drew Brees in it? Two legendary quarterbacks throwing 300 yards each with multiple touchdowns. Fast pace action left and right and me right there capturing it all. Narrator: It didn’t go the way JC had planned for. It was a one sided game in favor of the Saints.
If my memory serves me correct, and at my age it may or may not, the only other Sunday Night Football I shot was a game between the Raiders and Dolphins back in 2017. Needless to say I was beyond excited to get the call to shoot this Sunday Night Football matchup. The only not so exciting thing was driving from South Florida in the middle of Tropical Storm ETA to get to Tampa and driving back into the storm again on the way back. The things we do for football.
I was also excited to shoot in Raymond James Stadium for the first time. I’ve always wanted to go and check out the pirate ship they have in the endzone and it did not disappoint. They tested the cannons during pregame and they were loud. At least they worked during pregame because they never got the chance to use them during the game.
My main purpose was to shoot content for the Saints. Strictly for the Saints; however, Tom Brady was there, Gronk and Antonio Brown was making his Bucs’ debut so I shot some of them as well. It’s Tom Brady, who wouldn’t want some amazing shots of the goat? The last time I was able to shoot all three of those guys was last season in a game the Patriots defeated the Dolphins in.
The game itself was completely one sided. The Saints went marching in on the Bucs defense and were up by close to 30 at half time if I’m not mistaken. Brees was just slinging the ball with no real pressure at all. My legs were numb at halftime from running up and down the field touchdown after touchdown. I enjoyed the action don’t get me wrong. The Bucs were out of sync. Brady and his receivers couldn’t make connections. Their O-line was getting Brady lit up. Hell Brady threw 3 interceptions. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen that.
The game may not have worked on in the Bucs’ favor, but I had a great time. I was able to work with some great LCC’s like Lemar Griffins. Even got a chance to catch up and say hi to two of the good ones in the game, Logan Bowles and Mike Ehrmann. Tropical Storm ETA’s heavy rains held up long enough for the game to be played, but hitting us with the occasional down pour here and there.
You can see a lot of my game photos on the Saints Instagram page from their Sunday Night Football victory over the Bucs. I won’t lie it does feel amazing to see your work plastered all over a team’s social media page. My photos were on Twitter, Facebook, SnapFace and even on the Saints’ website. Brings a little warm feeling to the heart.
