I caught the single best catch in sports history on film,” says Richard Druckman, a West Windsor resident, sports photographer, and owner of Gold Medal Impressions, about his recent photos at Super Bowl XLII won by the Giants. His sports gallery offering a limited number of photographs at the gallery’s “Super Super Bowl Weekend exhibit and sale on Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.##M:[more]##
“Super Bowl XLII was one of the best ever and the images in my gallery reflect a hard-fought contest,” said Druckman. “Few expected the Giants to beat the undefeated Patriots, but they did. The energy and excitement of this once in a lifetime moment comes through in every shot from the game.”
All of the heroes of Super Bowl XLII are featured in Druckman’s collection: Eli Manning taking charge on the field; David Tyree making the catch of the century; the winning touchdown score by Plaxico Burress; and more.
“This was my seventh super bowl and it was a storybook ending with Tom Brady taking the Patriots down the field for a score with just over two minutes left to play,” recounted Druckman. “Followed by a miraculous touchdown drive led by Eli Manning, highlighted by the catch of the century by David Tyree, and a spectacular touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with just seconds remaining — it was amazing!” His wife, Joan, was also at the game.
“The Giants had practiced that final play all week and waited the entire game for the right moment to call it,” says Druckman, who had been told about the play by a fellow photographer, who had been watching practices during the previous week. “It would only work under one specific condition in the Patriot’s lineup.”
Student athletes from High Schools North and South are featured. Druckman also has photos of the Jets, Eagles, Yankees, Mets, Nets, 76ers, Devils, and Flyers, as well as college stars of Rutgers, Georgetown, and North Carolina.
Sports enthusiasts may also view diverse subjects in sports including Bode Miller Alpine skiing; Joe Torre wearing Yankee pinstripes for the last time; Jonathan Papelbon celebrating another Boston Red Sox world championship; Brian Westbrook giving his all for the Eagles; Tom Brady’s grace under pressure; and Basketball icon LeBron James scoring on a jump shot. “My newest exhibit showcases the Super Bowl, but other sporting highlights will be available as well,” he said.
Druckman, who has attended nine Olympics, will travel to Beijing, China later this year for his 10th, the 2008 Summer Games. His book, “Gold Medal Impressions: A Gallery of Olympic Photographs,” is also for sale.
— Lynn Miller
Gold Medal Impressions Gallery, 43 Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor, 609-606-9001, www.goldmedalimpressions.com. Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
