Acknowledgments

While writing this book I felt like a wrestler trying to make weight. Each chapter could have been a book in itself. To fit so many different sports between the covers of a simple how-to guide, I had to shed a lot of excess tonnage.

I am very lucky to work at Straw Hat Visuals with Laura Heald and Sara Tanner. Laura is there every day splitting the load, making me laugh, and stealing my food. Every project comes through the office we share; I simply couldn’t do it without her. Sara is the most Southern person I know, and I went to school at Ole Miss, so that’s saying something. She’s always there providing strong logistical support and sweetness.

During the eight months I was in the writing process, I was traveling constantly—about 200,000 miles—to some of the best sporting events on the planet. This book came together at the Olympics, at the Kentucky Derby, during March Madness, at the BCS national championship game, and at a prom dress rugby game. Those events provided a lot of inspiration and energy. I can’t say enough about the people I photograph.

My colleagues at Sports Illustrated are incredible. The editors, photographers, and writers are very talented, and I’ve always been surprised to be in their midst.

I owe a big debt of gratitude to my editor on the book, Anne Marie Walker, who skillfully and graciously kept this project on track. I put her through a lot, and her delicate touch saved a lot of what my writer friends would surely call “bad stuff.” Valerie Witte was there for us, too, providing counsel and guidance when we needed it.

For my entire life, I have been surrounded by teachers. My Mom taught me about art, creativity, and just plain hard work. My Dad brought imagination and storytelling to the mix. Now my daughter Havana supplies the fuel. She is constantly in motion, challenging me, pushing the limits of her vision, and making me want to show her the world through my photographs and films.