Adding story-telling elements in covering a football game

 

I wanted to show you how I approach covering a football game. I normally look for elements of fan and player emotion, offensive and defensive plays that might tell a complete story from start to finish of the game and on Sunday this was no exception. The Seahawks, 7-9 in the regular season, shocked the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans 41-36 with the arm of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s four touchdown passes, a defense that produced critical plays when the time counted and running back Marshawn Lynch’s electrifying 67-yard touchdown in the final minutes that sealed the victory. Thrown in those factors mixed with the constant roar of 66,336 spectators at Qwest Field a photographer would have been blind not to come away with decent game pictures.

#1 -- Marshawn "The Beast" breaking tackles (at least eight) on his way to a 67-yard touchdown that sealed the 41-36 BFC Wild Card game against the Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saint.

#2 & 3 -- Brandon Stokley's TD catch and run and celebration.

#4 -- Saints quarterback Drew Brees passing up pressure from the pass rush of Seahawks Chris Clemons.

#5 -- Seahawks defense bring down Saints running back Julius Jones.

#6 -- Saints head coach Sean Payton calling time out.

#7 -- Seahawks wide receiver Cameron Morrah breaking away from Saints defensive back Roman Harper.

#8 -- Seahawks' Tyler Polumbus pass blocking on Saints defensive end Alex Brown.

#9 -- Seahawks Hasselbeck completing a pass to running back Justin Forsett. Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 272 yards, four Td’s and one interception.

#10 --Seahawks Raheem Brock and Lofa Tatupu celebrate a sack on Brees.

#11 -- Seahawks fans make noise at Qwest Field, forcing a false start against the Saints.

Fans at Qwest field have made opposing team commit 106 false starts.

#12 -- One fan came painted as the Hulk.

#13 -- Seahawk fans scream as loud as they can to cause a false start on the Saints’ offensive unit.

#14 -- As time runs out, defensive tackle Colin Cole raises his arms in victory.

#15 -- Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shake hands with fans before heading into the locker room to celebrate with his team.

#16 -- Defensive tackle Craig Terrill picks up and twirls his wife while celebrating the Seahawks 41-36 win over the Saints.

Anyways, each game is different and you have the chance of taking different story-telling pictures. Had the Saints been ahead and were sure to win, I would moved over on their side of the field to focus and capture more images of offensive action, their players and fans reactions as well as sideline jubilation.