On Friday I shot the players arriving at the Dome. I shot them in the stands watching the Class AA title game before theirs. I shot them doing pregame warm-ups and in the tunnel right before the game. Every once and awhile I'd catch one of their eyes as they grinned at the attention. I'd been there before their season even started photographing and doing video of practice. I'd been to their school for sportraits and a handful of games through the season. Most importantly I had been there for their semi-finals victory that brought them to the dome. In the mayhem after that win several of them show-boated for my camera, reveling in the victory, in the attention.
Clarke Central Gladiators make their way to their lockerroom before playing Sandy Creek in the Class AAAA state championship Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Clarke Central coach Leroy Ryals stands by as his Gladiators make their way back to the lockerroom after watching some of the Class AA state championship game.
Clarke Central Gladiators touch the goal post before pregame warm-ups.
The Gladiators wait in to take the field in the tunnel with coach Leroy Ryals.
Clarke Central takes the field.
The first two quarters were a bit of a dud. Sandy Creek broke loose for an early touchdown, but the rest of the half the only points were scored by Clarke Central's kicker leaving the score 7-6 at halftime. The third quarter started much the same with only a Clarke Central field goal denting the scoreboard. The Gladiators headed to the 4th with a 9-7 lead. About halfway through though it all fell apart. Sandy Creek QB Ronnie Bell found a couple wide open receivers for touchdowns and then with two Clarke Central failed attempts on 4th down the score was quite suddenly 29-9. I stopped focusing on the action as much and started watching the sidelines for reaction. It was heart-breaking to watch through my lens as the boys realized their dream of a state championship was dying. Late in the 4th the Gladiators tacked on an irrelevant touchdown and soon the clock ran out and it was all over.
Sandy Creek QB Ronnie Bell releases a pass in the first quarter.
Clarke's Derrick Smalls lunges for Sandy Creek's Jarret Davis during the 1st half.
Sandy Creek's Rajion Neal breaks loose for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Clarke Central QB Martay Mattox is surrounded by Sandy Creek defenders.
Clarke Central's Adam Erickson boots in a field goal in the first half. Erickson scored the Gladiators first 9 points.
Clarke Central's Troy Yearby, left, and Terrence Bradshaw take down Sandy Creek's Rajion Neal in the first half.
Clarke's Derrick Smalls chases down Rajion Neal in the 3rd quarter.
Clarke Central fans cheer on the Gladiator defense.
Clarke Central huddles as the Gladiator fans cheer behind them.
Clarke Central's Quenshaun Watson runs the ball.
Clarke's Quenshaun Watson is pushed out of bounds by Sandy Creek's Bruce Dukes.
Sandy Greek QB Ronnie Bell calls a play before taking a snap.
Sandy Creek's Ronnie Bell passes under pressure.
Clarke's Martay Mattox breaks a tackle attempt by Gavin Rocker in the 3rd quarter.
Sandy Creek QB Ronnie Bell throws a touchdown pass in the 4th quarter.
Clarke Central linebacker Devante Derricotte looks on shortly after Sandy Creek scored 2 consecutive touchdowns in the 4th quarter.
Clarke Central QB Martay Mattox runs the ball.
Clarke Central's Dimitri Holmes is brought down by Sandy Creek's Isiah Johnson late in the 4th quarter.
Clarke Central's offense huddles late in the 4th quarter.
Clarke Central's Martay Mattox scores a touchdown in the 4th quarter leaving the Gladiators still down 29-15.
Clarke coach Leroy Ryals hangs his head in the final seconds of the Gladiators' 29-15 loss to the Fighting Patriots during the Class AAAA state championship Friday Dec. 11, 2009, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
The Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots had captured the first state title in their school's history. The Gladiators had to look on at the wild celebration on the other side of the field as a few of their teammates accepted the runner-up trophy. I walked ahead of them back to their tunnel to shoot them walking off the field. I shot a few frames and No. 27 noticed me. Until then no one had paid me any attention as I did my job of documenting. He looked at me with disgust and yelled "Don't be taking our picture! What the fuck is wrong with you? Fuck all yall!" I didn't repsond to the despondent teenager, but was completely taken aback. I've been yelled at by athletes before. They love you when they win, hate you when they lose. This one cut the deepest though. I truly cared for these guys and hurt to see them hurting. I quickly went from having hurt feelings to being furious. How dare that little punk cuss me for doing my job after I've busted my ass covering his team all season. I immediately regretted going out of my way working unpaid overtime to finish the season re-cap video. I was suddenly glad they lost. I didn't even want to edit the pictures.
Clarke's Tevin Wilhite shows his frustration late in the Gladiators' 29-15 loss to the Fighting Patriots during the Class AAAA state championship Friday Dec. 11, 2009, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. 
Clarke's Herb Evans hits his knees after the Gladiators 29-15 loss to the Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots during the Class AAAA state championship Friday Dec. 11, 2009, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Clarke Central's Devante Derricotte brings the runner-up trophy back to his team.
Sandy Creek celebrates their school's first ever state championship.
The Clarke Central Gladiators walk off the field after their 29-15 loss to the Sandy Creek Fighting Patriots during the Class AAAA state championship Friday Dec. 11, 2009, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Then I calmed down, two days later. Most of those guys are good guys. I still wish they had gotten their dream. Maybe I was too sensitive, maybe the lesson is mine to learn. It was after all only one kid that disrespected me. Hopefully my efforts will translate into precious mementos one day when the boys are men and want their children to see that the title was almost theirs. However, I can't forget the way it made me feel when that boy looked at me with such anger in his eyes. It wasn't just him, it was the revelation. I won't be able to care as much next time if I even want there to be a next time.
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6 comments:
Ugh, kids today.
Kelly,
I have been following your blog for a while. Each week, I look forward to seeing your new pictures posted here and on the SportZone website. My son, Corey, is the drum major at Clarke Central and you have taken a number of wonderful shots of him.
I hope that this unfortunate encounter with #27 does not cast a negative shadow on the entire team. While he may not have been appreciative of your efforts, I can assure you that I and many others are. Because your efforts, many will be able to look at your pictures and reminisce about all that was accomplished this year.
Thanks for all that you do.
Regards,
Shauna
Shauna,
Thank you so much for commenting. Your son is a fantastic drum major!! I only wish I got to see and photograph the band more, so often I have to send pictures during the halftime performance.
I must admit, at first there was a shadow cast, but that was just emotion. I got over it and still think very highly of the people at Clarke Central.
Don't sweat it, it happens. The kid was pissed he lost. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most of these kids will look back at these photos and see how well you documented their lives as kids and have those memories.
Besides, wait until the letters to the editor come in complaining about you taking pix of kids crying and how insensitive you are for "embarassing these kids." It happened to me last year. We ended up getting three letters about the photo of the QB crying after losing. The irony of it was that the school's yearbook asked to use the photo for that year's annual... I gladly gave it to them! And, wish I had the letter writer's phone number to let her know!
Now, after every playoff game when the local team's have lost I get ribbed for it by friends on the sidelines. My response is always the same: "If they don't want pictures of them crying they need to win the game!" :)
Keep up the good work Kelly.
Ha! Seriously. These kids need to buck up. It is all a part of it. Even the kids in college and the dudes in the NFL have to deal with their emotions being documented.
I truly hope one day they can appreciate the value of the photos. It is amazing how much more coverage these kids get than years ago. It should be seen as an honor, not something to curse or complain about.
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