Hot topics close

Randy Johnson is one NFL photographer Davante Adams wouldn’t mess with

Randy Johnson is one NFL photographer Davante Adams wouldnt mess with
The MLB Hall of Famer can be spotted on football sidelines camera in hand

These days, Randy Johnson is still combining his two favorite interests, owning a bird’s eye view of the world beneath him, and photography. As a 6-foot-10 Hall of Fame pitcher, he towered over the field as the tallest player in Major League Baseball History. He’s also probably one of the few aces who could have thrown down at Aaron Judge’s strike zone.

CC
  • Off
  • English

Johnson’s passion for photography goes back to when he studied photojournalism at the University of Southern California in the early 80s and continued during his playing career when he shot concerts — and likely obstructed the views of paying fans in the first row. He even runs a company logo that satirizes the bird he once eviscerated with a pitch in a spring training game 21 years ago. For those who are unfamiliar with the Dove Incident, Johnson’s most famous pitch made a dove explode with his fastball during a spring training game in March of 2001.

Advertisement

Ornithologists, zoologists who specifically study birds, say that the doves routinely fly between 10,000 and 13,000 feet above sea level so the odds of Johnson hitting one with his pitch is higher than the average pitcher’s but the improbability of that moment made it truly iconic. It’s fitting considering he’s probably one of the few pitchers who could reach the altitudes.

Advertisement

Johnson’s photography company is a few years old, but Johnson’s photography was rediscovered by Business Insider editor Sophia Kleeman, which sparked a renewed interest in the retired pitcher’s professional exploits.

Advertisement

Randy Johnson Photography is still an example of brilliant branding and it’s great to see an athlete who used to perform on the biggest stage still pursuing his dreams of *checks notes* shooting photography from the sidelines of sporting events. In an age of talking heads, Johnson just minds his business and gets the angles that most photographers are just flat-out unable to. They don’t grow 6-foot-10 photographers on trees after all. Most importantly, he’d got a great eye for evocative images.

You can also bet, athletes like Davante Adams would think twice about shoving the Big Unit around too.

Similar shots
News Archive
  • Madden 23
    Madden 23
    Late Hall of Famer John Madden returns to 'Madden NFL 23' cover
    1 Jun 2022
    1
  • Brandi Carlile
    Brandi Carlile
    Hanseroth Twins Branch Off From Brandi Carlile Band for a Side ...
    22 Mar 2024
    5
  • Bills Vs. Chiefs
    Bills Vs. Chiefs
    Wingin' It: Chicken Soup Stir-in Sauce — Bills Vs. Chiefs, Divisional ...
    20 Jan 2024
    1
  • Frying Pan Tower
    Frying Pan Tower
    Frying Pan Ocean cam shows Hurricane Florence live as it reaches North Carolina
    13 Sep 2018
    2
This week's most popular shots