John Biever, a veteran photographer, will achieve a significant career milestone at Super Bowl LX. He is set to become the only photographer to have covered every single Super Bowl, a remarkable feat spanning six decades of professional football history.
Biever, who will turn 75 shortly after Super Bowl LX, has indicated that this upcoming game will likely be his last. His journey began as a teenager, capturing moments that have since become iconic in sports photography.
Key Takeaways
- John Biever will cover his 60th Super Bowl, a record unmatched by any other photographer.
- His career began at Super Bowl I when he was just 15 years old.
- Biever captured iconic images, including Bart Starr's game-winning touchdown in the 1967 Ice Bowl.
- He worked alongside his father, Vern Biever, for the first 35 Super Bowls.
- Super Bowl LX is expected to be Biever's final event as a Super Bowl photographer.
Early Start and Family Legacy
Biever's passion for photography developed early, influenced by his father, Vern Biever. Vern served as the Green Bay Packers' team photographer, a role he began in 1941 while still a student at St. Norbert's College. John learned extensively from his father, gaining hands-on experience during the Packers' dynasty years in the 1960s.
Fact File
- First Super Bowl: Super Bowl I (1967)
- Age at First Super Bowl: 15 years old
- Number of Super Bowls Covered: 60 (as of Super Bowl LX)
- Father's Role: Vern Biever, Green Bay Packers team photographer since 1941
At just 14, Biever had access to professional equipment and championship games, a rare opportunity for someone his age. He quickly demonstrated his talent, capturing a notable black-and-white photo of Packers quarterback Bart Starr during the 1965 NFL championship against the Cleveland Browns. This image later appeared in Look magazine, marking an early success in his burgeoning career.
Super Bowl I and Memorable Encounters
In 1967, at the age of 15, Biever was on the sidelines of Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This was a significant trip for a young photographer from Wisconsin. He recalls a memorable moment during the game.
"Part-way through the game, I look next to me and there's Bob Hope kneeling down," Biever stated, adding with a laugh, "It's like, 'That's not going to happen anymore.'"
His favorite photograph from that inaugural Super Bowl captures Packers Coach Vince Lombardi running off the field after their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. This black-and-white image holds personal significance for Biever because his father, Vern, who collaborated with him for the first 35 Super Bowls, is also visible in the frame.
Historical Context: The Super Bowl's Beginning
Super Bowl I, initially known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, took place on January 15, 1967. It featured the Green Bay Packers from the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs from the AFL. The Packers won the game 35-10, solidifying their place in early Super Bowl history under legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
Capturing the Ice Bowl's Defining Moment
The following year, Biever was present for another historic game: the 1967 NFL Championship between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. This game, famously known as the Ice Bowl, was played in extreme conditions with temperatures reaching 13 degrees below zero in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Biever found himself in the perfect position to photograph the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. His father, Vern, was elsewhere on the field, missing the crucial play.
"My dad was over photographing Lombardi and Lombardi just turned and ran to the locker room. That was it," Biever explained. "He got nothing and I got the winning play of the Ice Bowl."
Biever's black-and-white photograph, taken from the end zone, powerfully depicts the offensive line creating a path for Bart Starr to score the decisive touchdown. This image has become one of his most recognized works.
The Ice Bowl's Iconic Shot
- Game: 1967 NFL Championship (Packers vs. Cowboys)
- Conditions: 13 degrees below zero Fahrenheit
- Key Moment: Bart Starr's game-winning touchdown
- Biever's Photo: Captured Starr breaking through the line from the end zone
He proudly displays this photograph in his San Diego home, noting its enduring presence in Wisconsin taverns. The Packers' victory in the Ice Bowl secured their spot in Super Bowl II, which Biever also covered, continuing his unbroken streak.
A Career Defined by Iconic Moments
For three decades, Biever worked for Sports Illustrated, capturing the essence of major sporting events. Since then, he has continued his work for the NFL, documenting countless moments for the league's archives. His ability to anticipate and capture critical plays has earned him widespread respect.
Jamie Squire, a long-time photographer for Getty Images, praised Biever's skill: "The most amazing thing about still photography is the fleeting moment. That's what John is best at capturing. That split-second moment that lives on forever."
As Biever approaches his 75th birthday, which falls just over a week after Super Bowl LX, he reflects on his career. While this Super Bowl might be his last, his dedication to preserving the spontaneous moments that define football remains strong. His legacy includes a vast collection of images that tell the story of the Super Bowl from its very beginning.
Biever's career is a testament to consistency and an eye for the dramatic. His work provides a unique visual history of one of the world's biggest sporting events, making him a true legend in sports photography.