Photographer Retires After 60 Consecutive Super Bowls

John Biever's camera has witnessed every Super Bowl celebration, every game-winning play, and every championship moment since the tradition began.

At age 15, Biever tagged along with his father Vernon, the Green Bay Packers' team photographer, to the first-ever Super Bowl in 1967. That decision launched a 60-game streak that no other photographer can claim.

Super Bowl 60 will mark his final assignment. After six decades behind the lens, Biever is hanging up his camera at age 74, closing a chapter of sports photography history that perfectly mirrors the evolution of America's biggest sporting event.

His favorite shots tell the story of the game's transformation. His first memorable photo captures Max McGee scoring the very first Super Bowl touchdown, with empty seats visible in the background at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Those empty seats feel impossible to imagine now, when Super Bowl tickets command thousands of dollars and the game stops the nation.

Biever worked for NFL Properties, spent decades shooting for Sports Illustrated, and contributed to NFL Photos. His assignments took him from end zones to sidelines, capturing defining moments that became part of football lore.

Among his treasured images: Joe Namath celebrating the Jets' shocking 1969 upset that legitimized the AFL-NFL merger. John Madden's joyful face as Oakland Raiders players carried him off the field in 1977. Tom Brady illuminated by a spotlight entering the stadium during the COVID-restricted 2021 game, when photographers weren't allowed on the field but Biever secured the perfect seat.

His most recent favorite shows Patrick Mahomes scrambling while Travis Kelce runs into the frame during the 2023 championship. Biever loves the composition, the intensity on Mahomes' face, and the luck of capturing both Kansas City stars in one shot.

Why This Inspires

Biever's career represents more than just longevity. He didn't just show up for 60 games. He adapted through massive technological changes, from film to digital, while maintaining his eye for the moments that matter. His streak required health, dedication, and a genuine love for the craft that sustained him through six decades of travel, deadline pressure, and the constant demand for excellence.

His retirement marks the end of the only photography career that spans the entire Super Bowl era. The next photographer who attempts this record would need to start now and work until 2085.