A remarkable achievement awaits a photographer at Super Bowl LX.
John Biever, standing in front of a collection of memorabilia in his San Diego residence, reflects on his impressive career. Having covered his very first Super Bowl at just 15 years old, he is now approaching 75 and believes that Super Bowl LX may mark the end of his long-standing journey in sports photography.
On February 8th, a multitude of photographers will be present on the field at Levi's Stadium in California to capture the action of the much-anticipated clash between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Yet, among them, Biever will hold a unique distinction—he will be the only one able to claim that he has documented every single Super Bowl from its inception to this milestone 60th event.
"Wow! Here we are at the 60th Super Bowl, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it all," Biever expressed, reflecting on his remarkable history in the world of photography.
A Young Photographer's Journey
Biever's passion for photography ignited at a young age, largely influenced by his father, Vern Biever, who served as the team photographer for the Green Bay Packers since 1941 while he was still a student at St. Norbert's College. John absorbed all the knowledge his father imparted during the golden era of the Packers in the 1960s.
"How many kids can pick up a professional camera at that age and find themselves on the field during a championship game? It's a rare opportunity," Biever noted. "But talent matters too, and I like to think I eventually delivered on that front."
During the 1965 NFL Championship between the Packers and the Cleveland Browns, Biever captured a striking black-and-white image of Packers quarterback Bart Starr just as he was about to hand off the ball—this photograph even made its way into Look magazine. The following year, at just 15, he strolled along the sidelines of Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, an extraordinary experience for a young photographer hailing from Wisconsin.
"At one point during the game, I turned and saw Bob Hope kneeling right next to me," Biever recalled with a chuckle. "I realized moments like that are just not something you experience anymore."
Capturing Football's Defining Moments
Biever's favorite photo from his first Super Bowl is also a black-and-white shot—this one featuring the legendary coach Vince Lombardi as he sprinted off the field after clinching the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Notably, his father, who partnered with Biever at the first 35 Super Bowls, appears in that memorable image.
The subsequent year, during the fierce competition for a spot in Super Bowl II, the Packers faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in what became known as the Ice Bowl, a game played in frigid temperatures of 13 degrees below zero in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Biever positioned himself perfectly to capture the winning touchdown in the dying seconds of the game.
"My dad was busy photographing Lombardi, who suddenly dashed to the locker room just as the critical moment unfolded. He missed the shot entirely, while I managed to secure the iconic play of the Ice Bowl," Biever recounted proudly.
His powerful photograph, taken from the end zone, depicts the sheer force of the blockers creating a path for Bart Starr to score. "It's the only picture I have hanging on my wall here in my living room. If it's not my absolute favorite, it's certainly the one everyone remembers most vividly."
Indeed, Biever's striking image from that 1967 Ice Bowl is so iconic that it continues to adorn the walls of local taverns in Wisconsin. The Packers' triumph over the Cowboys granted him the opportunity to attend Super Bowl II, and since then, he hasn't looked back.
For three decades, Biever contributed his photographic talents to Sports Illustrated and, throughout the years, has consistently provided images for the NFL.
Longtime Getty Images photographer Jamie Squire remarks, "What’s truly remarkable about photography is the ability to capture fleeting moments. John has an exceptional talent for freezing those split-second events that resonate forever."
As Biever approaches his 75th birthday on February 17, shortly after the Super Bowl, he acknowledges that Super Bowl LX might be his final chapter. Nonetheless, he eagerly anticipates capturing those unforgettable spontaneous moments that fans will cherish.
