The first Pro Bowl I photographed was back in 2002. ProBowl week was always so much fun back then because it was held in Hawaii! I traveled to Hawaii and was provided a credential from the Chicago Bears to photograph all of the events of Pro Bowl week; I was also there with my friend Brian Urlacher. Brian would put my name on his family guest list, which meant I could have access to everywhere the players hung out. The hotel’s pool was where the majority of the players and their families would spend most afternoons. It was a great relaxed atmosphere where I would get to meet a lot of players from other teams.

One player I met lived practically in my backyard. One day during Pro Bowl week, I was having lunch while sitting poolside just a few feet from the bar. Over at the bar, I heard a gentleman talking to Chris Berman. The man told Chris that he lived twenty minutes south of Milwaukee, I instantly turned around and said, “So do I!” The man asked who I was, and I told him my name and that I live in Salem, Wisconsin. I then asked him the same question, the gentleman introduced himself as Ramiro Romo, I was speaking with Tony Romo’s father! He also told me that he lives in Burlington, Wisconsin which is about fifteen minutes away. That’s how I first met Tony Romo. What a great guy! That’s the fun of being around the pool.

Another player I seemed to photograph at the Pro Bowl every year was Peyton Manning. I had a few opportunities to talk to him and he was always very nice and approachable. Many players that are voted into the Pro Bowl would use excuses such as minor injures so they don’t have to go through another week of practice or play in the game. Peyton was not one of those players, year after year Peyton was always there!

Pro Bowl practices were very laid back at the time. At the conclusion of each practice, fans had opportunities to meet the players and take pictures with them. The last player to leave the field was always Peyton! He took every picture, and signed every autograph!

One of the last Probowls I photographed, I saw Peyton sitting on the edge of the pool. I introduced myself and told him that I come year after year and photograph the game for the Bears. Peyton said that he recognized me from being there before. I told him that I’ve noticed he comes every year and that he would always be the last player to leave the field after practice. Peyton said that if the fans vote me to the Pro Bowl and want me to be there, I’ll be there! I’m never going to disappoint the fans and I want to sign every autograph for everyone who asks me for it. I’d be nothing without the fans!

Peyton is the real thing! There’s no show in this man and in my opinion, he’s one of the greatest ambassadors of the game that the NFL has ever seen!