Super Bowl Redux

Last updated Jul 15, 2017

Dylan Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Tom Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, February 5, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Photographing Super Bowl XLVI

Celtics v Lakers, Borg v McEnroe, India v Pakistan, Ali v Frazier, Red Sox v Yankees.

There are sports matches and there are match-ups that up the ante because of a bitter rivalry.

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon celebrates getting the last out as the Red Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies in Game 4 of Major League Baseball’s World Series in Denver, October 28, 2007. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

There’s nothing fiercer than a Boston-New York contest.

For decades, Boston played the underdog while the ghost of Babe Ruth conspired with latter day Big Apple legends like Bucky Dent and Mookie Wilson to leave New England in tears.

New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss (C) can’t make a catch of a Tom Brady pass in the fourth quarter, sealing the win for the New York Giants in the NFL’s Super Bowl XLII football game in Glendale, Arizona, February 3, 2008. Defending for the Giants is Gibril Wilson (L). REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

After the Patriots won their first Super Bowl in 2001, the Red Sox finally snapped their NY curse. Championships seemed to flow to the region (three Super Bowls, two World Series championships) until heavily favored New England met the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII in 2008.

The spoiler was New York Giants receiver David Tyree, who leapt into the air and snagged the ball with one hand and pinned it against his helmet in a remarkable 32 yard reception from quarterback Eli Manning in the final two minutes to set up a win for the underdog Giants.

New York Giants receiver David Tyree (R) hauls in a Eli Manning pass late in the fourth quarter for a first down during the NFL’s Super Bowl XLII football game in Glendale, Arizona February 3, 2008. Patriots’ defender Rodney Harrison is at left. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

On Sunday I’ll be photographing the teams again as they meet for a rematch in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.With apologies to another of those Bronx Bomber legends, it’s déjà vu all over again. Once again the Giants and Manning are the underdogs. Once again they reached the Super Bowl with a game-winning kick from Lawrence Tynes.

New York Giants place kicker Lawrence Tynes (9) kicks a field goal against the New England Patriots in the first quarter of the NFL’s Super Bowl XLII football game in Glendale, Arizona February 3, 2008. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

It’s always more exciting to shoot sports when the stakes are high, or there is some kind of historical significance.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates winning the NFL’s Super Bowl XLII football game against the New England Patriots in Glendale, Arizona February 3, 2008. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

New England quarterback Tom Brady has movie star looks, and is married to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen. He has already announced plans for a victory party, and if he leads the team to a win, they will have won four out of five Super Bowls in 11 years.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Wes Walker (83) leave the field on the fourth down against the New York Giants during the third
quarter of the NFL’s Super Bowl XLII football game in Glendale, Arizona, February 3, 2008. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Reuters photographers Jim Young and Jeff Haynes are already in Indianapolis to capture the immense build-up to the most-watched sporting event on the North American calendar.

The rest of the Reuters team will join them later in the week, hoping for a close-fought game and photos that transcend the hype.

Dylan Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Tom Coughlin’s grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots
in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, February 5, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Reuters Global Editor for Sports Pictures Gary Hershorn will be leading the coverage. We’ll once again be using our successful Reuters proprietary software, Paneikon, to transmit our photos around the world within minutes.