Setting: Week 1 vs. Baltimore
The Subject: Ravens' tight end Isaiah Likely lands just barely out of bounds late in the Chiefs' Week 1 victory over Baltimore.
Taken By: Mikayla Schlosser
Camera Model: Cannon EOS R3
Focal Length: 135 mm
Exposure Time: 1/3,200
Aperture: f/2.2
Steve Sanders' Thoughts:
Q: Why did you pick this one as the top photo of the year?
Sanders: "I've looked everywhere, and this seems to be the only frame like this that I've seen," Sanders said. "This was originally ruled a touchdown, but after a review, it was clear his toe was out of bounds. This kind of began a trend for our season where we had a bunch of last-second wins."
Q: Where was Mikayla positioned, and how was she so prepared to capture this?
Sanders: "She was in the end zone near the back corner pylon," Sanders said. "We knew that if anything was going to happen, it was going to be in the end zone. It could have been a pass-breakup to win the game or a touchdown, so we had people positioned on both sides of the end zone. She was in the right spot, which allowed her to get this frame."
Q: Does that planning take place beforehand or in the moment?
Sanders: "It's a lot of repetitive instructions. 'If this situation pops up, here's where you all need to be.' You want to be ready for these pivotal moments, and watching practice sort of prepares you for these things," Sanders said. "The teaching moments that take place are helpful, too. 'Hey, you missed this, but next time, put yourself in this position to succeed.' On this one, Mikayla was in the perfect spot."
Q: Any final thoughts on this year's top 10 photos?
Sanders: "This was the hardest year that we've had to pick a top 10. We shoot hundreds of thousands of frames. We took more than half a million original photos this year, and we put out top shots every week after every game," Sanders said. "Still, to go back through them now and to see what we captured and the story that we told from training camp to the Super Bowl, I really think it puts it all in perspective. Hopefully, we told a good story, and the fans enjoyed it."