In the world of sports photography, capturing the perfect moment often comes with its risks, as vividly illustrated during Sunday’s NFL game at MetLife Stadium. While the New York Jets and Washington Commanders battled it out on the field, a photographer, engrossed in capturing the intense action, experienced an unexpected hazard of the job.
As Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian threw a pass intended for tight end Tyler Conklin, the ball veered off course, striking the unnamed photographer right in the head. This incident highlights an occupational hazard that sports photographers face, especially when positioned close to the action, like behind the endzone in football games or in the photographers’ box just outside the field of play at baseball games.
Camera man took that hit like a pro ? pic.twitter.com/kyKD5eMnls
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023
Photographers at sporting events are often in the thick of the action, seeking to capture those dynamic, split-second images that define the spirit of the game. However, this quest for the perfect shot means they are sometimes inadvertently caught in the line of play. Being struck by a misdirected ball is a rare but real risk, as is the arguably more serious risk of being crashed into by a player. Hopefully, the photographer walked away without any serious injury!
