After shooting random press conferences and practices leading up to the first season of the United Football League (UFL) it was finally time for the real thing. The UFL really hadn’t done much in regards to marketing and promotion for the season so nobody knew what to expect as kick off time approached at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. The only thing that was for sure was that it would be a game of firsts!

As with any football game I shoot the first thing I do when I get to the stadium is set up in the media room.

At Sam Boyd Stadium the photo work room is all the way up in the press box which was going to make it a big pain in the ass to be quick with transmitting images.

Below, a California Redwoods player stretches on field prior to the game against the Las Vegas Locomotives during the inaugural United Football League game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 200iso, f5, 1/1600th, Aperture Priority

Another thing I always do when I first get to the stadium is get my photo vest that most leagues require for field access.

Below, Jennifer models the one size fits none XXXL photo vests in the media room.

Once outfitted with my dress photo vest it was time to head down on the field to shoot some pre game photos.

The field was a mix of sunlight and shadows which made for some fun light to shoot photos in.

Las Vegas Locomotives running back Dede Dorsey (below) puts on his helmet prior to warming up before the game.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 500iso, f5.6, 1/4000th, Aperture Priority

With this being the first game in league history I was on the look out for any moments that might make for a valuable photo several years from now. (assuming the league takes off like the UFL hopes)

Below, head referee Jon Bible (center) is surrounded by the other refs as they pose for a group photo of the first officiating crew in UFL history.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f6.3, 1/320th, Aperture Priority

Prior to the game UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue (below) was all smiles as he waited for the UFL to officially begin.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f4.5, 1/1000th, Aperture Priority

Below, California Redwoods owner Paul Pelosi (left) points at someone as head coach Denny Green wonders if they are who they thought they were.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 800iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Aperture Priority

As game time arrived the players came out to the field for pre game ceremonies.

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives offensive lineman Jeremy Parquet watches fireworks in the sky above the stadium.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

Across the field (below) California Redwoods players stood on the sidelines during the national anthem.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 800iso, f4.5, 1/200th, Aperture Priority

California Redwoods quarterback Shane Boyd (right) greets Las Vegas Locomotives quarterback J.P. Losman prior to the coin toss, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

Below, California Redwoods owner Paul Pelosi (right) looks on as referee Jon Bible conducts the first coin toss in league history.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

As I walked around the field prior to the kick off I noticed what has to be the most comfortable looking end zone seats (below) in football history. Its a shame nobody was sitting in them.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f3.2, 1/1250th, Aperture Priority

With a few fans looking on (below) California Redwoods kicker Parker Douglass kicks the ball off to open the game against the Las Vegas Locomotives during the inaugural United Football League game at Sam Boyd Stadium. The kick was the first ever play for the UFL.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 2500iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual

As I have previously mentioned, with this being the inaugural UFL game there would be countless firsts in team history.

In my opinion, the first touchdown would be the most important first in the league so I got really excited when Las Vegas Locomotives running back Marcel Shipp went airborne (below) as he attempted to break into the end zone…..

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

……too bad the Redwoods defense prevented him from breaking through.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

The first points scored in league history would end up being by Locomotives kicker (9) Graham Gano, below, as he booted a field goal in the first quarter.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

As the ball went through the uprights Gano held up his arm.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

A short while later the first touchdown in league history occurred as California Redwoods quarterback (7) Shane Boyd ran the ball into the end zone.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

If you would have been sitting next to me you would have heard me yell out obscenities as the play ran the other direction from my shooting location. FML.

Below, Redwoods quarterback (7) Shane Boyd celebrates with running back (20) Cory Ross as he ran back to the sidelines following the historic play.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

A short while later while walking along the Redwoods sidelines I noticed the team bench was back against the grandstands (below). While it worked great for photographers since we got to walk in the middle of the bench and get up close to the players, I can only imagine it simply being a matter of time before a drunk fan dumps a beer on a visiting players head.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/640th, Manual

Before the half I had to leave the field and head up to the press box to start sending some images out. While up there it would be a good time to look for some other angles and shots.

High above the field (below) a Versus camera operator shoots the game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 2000iso, f2.8, 1/200th, Manual

Below, I shot with a fisheye lens to get the entire Sam Boyd Stadium as players line up on the field for the kickoff to begin the second half of the game.

Nikon D700, 10.5-17mm, 4000iso, f4.2, 1/400th, Manual

Since the stadium was pretty empty at the moment due to fans still buying food and drinks I added myself into a shot (below) to help boost the attendance figures.

Along with a wide angle shot of the stadium I also wanted to get shots with the UFL logo on the field with players in the shot.

The below photo of Las Vegas Locomotives wide receiver (84) Brian Hernandez running the ball in the third quarter against the California Redwoods was exactly what I was looking for.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual

I was about to head back down to the field until I noticed the Locos were getting close to scoring. Instead of running down to the field and potentially missing something during the transit, I threw on the long glass and ended up getting a pretty cool shot as Las Vegas Locomotives tight end (87) Adam Bergen dove into the end zone for a touchdown ahead of California Redwoods linebacker (55) Maurice Crum.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 4000iso, f3.2, 1/1250th, Shutter Priority

Works for me!

A few minutes later while heading down the bleachers to the field I briefly stopped to shoot as California Redwoods quarterback (7) Shane Boyd throws a pass (below).

Nikon D700, 400mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual

Finally back down on the field it was back to work.

Below, California Redwoods running back (29) Derrell Hutsona runs from diving Las Vegas Locomotives defensive back Joe Porter.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

One odd thing I noticed on the sidelines was what appeared to be Gatorade bottles and holders with black tape over all the logos, below. Evidently Gatorade is not the official sports beverage of the UFL.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 800iso, f6.3, 1/100th, Aperture Priority

Actor Denzel Washington was on the sidelines as he watch his son John David Washington who plays for the Redwoods.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/640th, Manual

Shortly after taking the above photo Washington got tired of photographers shooting him and snapped at me, “please stop taking pictures of me, I am not a football player.”

He seemed so much nicer in the movie John Q….oh wait.

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives quarterback (7) J.P. Losman throws a pass as he is tackled by the California Redwoods in the second half.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

Las Vegas Locomotives running back (26) Marcel Shipp runs the ball in the fourth quarter, below.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

Dressed as train conductors, Locomotives fans cheer late in the fourth quarter as Las Vegas closed out the game against the Redwoods.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/640th, Manual

Locomotives quarterback J.P. Losman (below) is all smiles in the closing minutes of the game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/640th, Manual

As the game clock hit zero sealing the win, Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel (below) took a gatorade….uh I mean an unnamed sports beverage bath!

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

Below, I ran onto the field to shoot the first ever UFL coaches post game handshake as Las Vegas Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel (left) greets California Redwoods head coach Dennis Green following the inaugural United Football League game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/640th, Manual

I worked my way into the Locomotives locker room and shot the below photo of Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel giving the game ball to UFL commisioner Michael Huyghue.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/400th, Manual

After getting the game ball, Michael Huyghue briefly spoke to the happy locker room.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 4000iso, f2.8, 1/400th, Manual

In closing I gotta say that while it was (and still is) very easy to be skeptical of the UFL due to their lack of marketing and low attendance, the game itself was actually very good football. Hopefully the league continues to grow via word of mouth from happy fans and maybe a little more marketing by the UFL and one day grow to be a big time league.

Check out video highlights from the game.

Next up is NASCAR in Fontana, CA.

Web Clips:

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