A Moment Frozen in Time
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s annual contest, which draws nearly 1,300 entries from professional photographers covering the NFL, crowned Kyle Terada’s photograph of George Kittle’s 13‑yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams as the 2025 Dave Boss Award of Excellence. The image, taken with a Sony camera using a tilt‑screen to achieve a dramatic low‑angle perspective, was singled out for its athleticism, intensity and composition.
Judges praised the shot for capturing the raw energy of the play, noting that the angle not only emphasized Kittle’s leap but also drew the viewer’s eye toward the end zone’s electric atmosphere. The award, named after former NFL vice president of publishing and creative services Dave Boss, underscores the Hall of Fame’s commitment to celebrating visual storytelling that complements the sport’s on‑field drama.
A Dual Celebration
In the Feature category, Kathryn Riley secured first place with a portrait of Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel, adding another layer of recognition to the winners’ circle. Both Terada and Riley will receive cash prizes and public acknowledgment at the 2026 Awards of Excellence program, scheduled to take place later next year.
The contest, open to all professional photographers documenting the 2025 NFL season — including events such as Super Bowl LX — featured a panel of five prominent photo editors and photographers who evaluated each submission on technical mastery and narrative impact. Terada’s win marks a milestone in his 16‑year tenure at Imagn Images, where he has built a reputation for innovative coverage of live sports action.
Reflecting on his journey, Terada recalled picking up a camera as a middle‑school hobby and gradually transforming it into a professional pursuit. His distinctive low‑angle technique, now a signature style, continues to push the boundaries of sports photography, offering fans a fresh visual perspective that complements the league’s growing multimedia presence.
The recognition extends beyond individual accolades; it also highlights the collaborative ecosystem that includes leagues, teams and agencies such as the National Football League and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, all of which support the creation and dissemination of high‑impact sports imagery.