New York Giants creative and photography director Matt Swenson’s photo of three Giants rookies during a pregame “contemplative moment” won first prize out of 1,200 entries in the Feature category in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s annual photo contest.
The black-and-white photo shows tight end Theo Johnson, cornerback Dru Phillips, and wide receiver Malik Nabers “taking a moment in deep thought before the Giants’ primetime game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 28, 2024.”
“There’s always a level of chaos during pre-game introductions, especially as the road team, and that is when I captured this photo,” Swensen recalled in an interview with Giants.com. “On the opposite side of the field, I noticed three of our rookies in the end zone and they were backlit by the fireworks. I ran over trying not to be too intrusive in the moment because that’s their time to get mentally ready.”The Giants lost the game, 26-18, but it was obviously not a wasted effort, especially for Swenson.