I was lucky enough to attend my first Super Bowl yesterday with the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. Working the Super Bowl is very different than attending it as a fan. There’s a lot of waiting around because you have to get there early to beat traffic, go through security and meet with your staff before the game starts. I was inside the stadium by 11 a.m. and didn’t leave until after 11 p.m.
Not only is it a long day, but depending on your assignment, you could be on your feet the entire time or stuck sitting in one spot for the entire game. When you’re on your feet, you go home sore. When you’re stuck in one spot, you can’t leave once the game starts for anything and you’re still a little sore from being cramped for over four hours.
My assignment was to take memory cards from photographers up in the stands to their editors in a workroom on field level and vice-versa. Elevators are not an option (too slow), so I was running up and down stairs all night (boy, are my legs sore!).
I didn’t really get to watch much of the game due to an obstructed view (I had no seat and was assigned to a section in the stands), but there was a ladder next to my section that I was able to stand on from time to time to get a better view.
All that said, I’m happy I had the experience and captured some of the moments with my camera. Enjoy the pics!
Before Kickoff
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones look away from a hoard of photographers before the start of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Actor Hugh Jackman looks at the crowd from the field before Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
A fan shoots a video on his cell phone during pre-game festivities of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Halftime Show
Will.i.am sings just before Usher makes his halftime appearance during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
High school dancers glow during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Usher makes an appearance during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
The Black Eyed Peas perform during halftime of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Second Half
Many rows were filled with hard-working photographers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews almost intercepts a pass from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Packer Celebration
Two Green Bay Packer cheeseheads watch the confetti rain after the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 for the Super Bowl XLV title at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Leaving the Stadium
Cowboys Stadium stays lit after the conclusion of Super Bowl XLV at Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.
Very nice, Lindsey! Sorry I couldn’t respond on Sunday, but Susan Schrock ended up reaching me.
Thanks! And that’s OK. You had your hands full figuring out where you were going to watch the game from and a dying cell phone battery! Glad it all worked out for you.