SI's Read Miller honored as photographer of the year

Sports Illustrated photographer Peter Read Miller is the winner of the Dave Boss Award of Excellence for his entry in the 38th Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest. His photo, titled “All Charged Up" was deemed the Photograph of the Year.

The color action image captures San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson in mid-air while as he jumps over the line of scrimmage.  The photo was taken during the Chargers 48-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on November 20, 2005. 

The prestigious contest, sponsored byCanon, U.S.A., Inc., the official camera of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is open to professional photographers ordinarily on assignment to cover National Football League games.  Photos taken during the 2005 NFL season, that included Super Bowl XL and the 2006 Pro Bowl, were eligible.

“We are thrilled to honor Sports Illustrated's Peter Read Miller as this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame Contest winner,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc..   "Peter has shot 30 Super Bowls and his dedication to the sport and photography embodies everything this competition is about.  Canon is committed to providing professional photographers with the tools to take great photos and we look forward to continuing to sponsor this unique and prestigious contest for many years to come."

Miller’s entry was the first place winner in the action category and Mark J. Rebilas of US PRESSWIRE placed first in the feature category.  Rebilas’ image titled “Alexander the Great," shows Seattle Seahawks running back Shawn Alexander engaging in celebratory hand shakes with fans following his team’s victory over the Indianapolis Colts.  In the game, Alexander set the single-season rushing touchdown record with his 27th score of the year. 

Judging was conducted on April 21, by a panel of prominent photo editors and photographers. The judges included Michael Madrid, sports photo editor, USA Today; John Reid III, team photographer, Cleveland Browns; Brad Smith, sports picture editor, The New York Times, Paul Spinelli, NFL contributor, Getty Images/freelance photographer, and Kevin Terrell, NFL business manager, WireImage.

Miller will be officially honored at the Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable, part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement celebration, on August 6, 2006 in front of a sellout crowd of 4,000 people. The multi-day enshrinement celebration is highlighted by the induction of the Class of 2006 – Troy Aikman, Harry Carson, John Madden, Warren Moon, Reggie White, and Rayfield Wright  – on August 5, followed by the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game the next day. This year's game showcases the Oakland Raiders versus the Philadelphia Eagles.