Inside the Lens: The Cameraman Who Captured College Football’s Catch of the Year

During a critical college football game, a last-second, potentially game-winning touchdown pass was thrown to the back of the end zone. The receiver appeared to land out of bounds, making the catch improbable. However, a perfectly timed and framed shot by handheld camera operator Doug Kirk clearly showed the receiver touching both feet in bounds while airborne, confirming the touchdown and securing a victory for his team. Kirk, a fill-in operator for FOX, was assigned to this game on short notice and was tasked with a handheld camera role, which is different from his usual hard camera work. He positioned himself on the back line of the end zone, anticipating the play, while another camera covered the goal line. This placement proved crucial for capturing the entire play. Initially, Kirk believed he had missed the shot as the action unfolded rapidly. He adjusted his camera, fearing he had cut off the receiver's feet. It wasn't until he saw the replay on the broadcast that he realized he had captured the entire play perfectly. This moment marked a career highlight for Kirk, who has been a cameraman for twenty-five years, inspired by his late father who was also in the television in... download the app to read more