A fan displays his tattoos during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Replica trophies are shown during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
A fan looks on as he tailgates in the parking lot during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
A fan reacts as she tailgates during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall reacts before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Fans wear Roger Goodell clown shirts during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
A fan poses during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Fans tailgate during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he warms up before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Artist Flo Rida performs before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Members of the Kansas City Chiefs warm up before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts as he runs onto the field before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Five replica Super Bowl trophies are displayed before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Five Super Bowl banners are displayed before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Travis Kielce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Demetrius Harris #84 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a touchdown was scored during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Fans hold towels depicting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wearing a clown nose before the opening game of the 2017 NFL season between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs dives for the pylon to score a go-ahead rushing touchdown during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Members of the New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Charcandrick West #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after scoring a touchdown during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs off the field following the opening game of the 2017 NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs following the opening game of the 2017 NFL season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs players pray after the Chiefs defeated the Patriots 42-27 during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs players pray after the Chiefs defeated the Patriots 42-27 during the opening game of the 2017 NFL season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo by Billie Weiss/The Players’ Tribune)
Last week, I was lucky to have the opportunity to photograph the New England Patriots 2017 opener against the Kansas City Chiefs for The Players’ Tribune. The game had been hyped up for weeks ahead of time, as the Patriots were set to unveil their fifth Super Bowl Championship banner. In addition, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was set to make an appearance at the game in the wake of ‘Deflategate,’ so the night was rich with storylines to cover. Ultimately, the Chiefs got the last laugh, as they defeated the Patriots 42-27.
I had a great time shooting on my first assignment for The Players’ Tribune. I didn’t have any specific requirements, so I had the freedom to take risks and shoot with a blank slate. Here’s a gallery of some favorites in black and white.
A big thanks to the team at TPT for having me on board! And a shoutout to my friend Dave in town from Baltimore, who I had to bail on last minute to shoot the game. 10 years later you finally made it on the blog.
