Rulon Gardner for The New York Times

"Rulon Gardner, the 2004 Greco Roman Wrestling gold medalist, is attempting a comeback for the 2012 London Olympics despite retirement and a weight issue that landed him on NBC's The Biggest Loser, once weighing in at 474 pounds. He'll have to drop from his current weight of 315lbs to 264lbs or under in order to compete. Gardner poses after training in the wrestling room at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012."

I'm a sucker for a good sports story, and an attempt at a comeback is always interesting to witness.

At the age of 40 Rulon Gardner is trying to return to where he once was, standing on the Olympic podium hearing "The Star-Spangled Banner" playing with gold around his neck.

Last week I made my way up to the USOTC to see the progress that he's been making for the paper of record.

After witnessing what Rulon called a "light workout" with members of India's National team, I had some time to set up a couple of lights while he spoke with Jeré Longman for his story that ran today.

I wanted to use the great color on the floor without being repititive of my other images so I put a bare strobe head in a small hallway and pumped 1000w/s through two narrow windows to create another graphic element on the floor.

After shaking what I can honnestly say is the largest hand that I've ever shook, Rulon stepped right in, the consummate professional, and allowed me to accomplish what I needed to in just a few minutes.

Before he headed out to catch a plane to Austin for training, we talked for a few minutes about his alma mater, Nebraska, Cornhusker football and family friend Johnny Rodgers whom Rulon had met a few years ago. In my line of work I'm around plenty of professional athletes and Rulon was definitely among the most personable.

Of all the stories leading up to London 2012, I'll be following his closely.

AFC Wild Card Playoffs | Steelers v Broncos

I told people all week, "I've seen crazier things happen than the Broncos pulling an upset."

Turns out, I was correct.

I'm not sure how it seemed, felt at home on tv from the comfort of your couch but from my spot on the field the Broncos seemed to have control of the game from almost the start until the dramatic finish. Not once did I think that they wouldn't pull it off.

I'd love to be at any of the divisional games next week. As my buddy John Leyba from the Denver Post put it after the game, "the playoffs are addicting."

I thuroughly enjoyed the pressure packed situation that I was under today. I don't think my images quite reflect it but I felt in the zone all afternoon. Things seemed to happen in slow motion...just with the players backs to me, the game winner included.

I'm not one bit dissappointed though because as a team along with Getty staffers Jeff Gross and Doug Pensinger, we had all our bases covered. As long as our team makes the/an image, it's a success.

Next week I'll be one of the masses, on my couch, cheering them on. If I can't be shooting the game I might as well enojy a beer.

More images from the game here.

2011 Sports Pictures of the Year

Reflecting back on the year and the images that I made along the way is always an interesting process. As a visual person, I can remember almost exactly all the moments before, during and after each of the images you see above.

It's a gift and a curse at the same time because I'm my own worst critic. I constantly wonder how I could made an image better.

It's not all bad though. I absolutely love what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I love looking back and realizing that, for example, if you would have told me a year ago that I'd be covering NASCAR on a somewhat regular basis I would have said you were crazy. Now, I'm hooked.

Working in a fantastic sports town for Getty gave me the opportunity to cover some great assignments with the freedom to take risks and challenge myself. It's had to ask for much more than that.

I learned a lot from my peers this year, following their work closer than ever and using it as a measuring stick. I created personal assignments for myself and came out of them with images that I've highlighted here. I worked hard to make/find images instead of letting them unfold in front of me.

Half the battle, I feel, is staying hungry and avoiding complacency at all costs. I had good days and ones I was less than pleased about but I can say that it was never for a lack of effort.

With that in mind, I'm anxious to see what 2012 brings. I have no idea where I'll be and what new things I'll be shooting but I've learned to appreciate the unexpected.

I hope you all are looking forward to the same.

NFL photos | Patriots v Broncos

"Tight end Daniel Fells #86 and tight end Virgil Green #85 of the Denver Broncos make their way out to the field before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Emily Robison, 10, from Denver prepares to perform with the Denver Broncos junior cheerleaders before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"The New England Patriots get pumped up before agape against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Safety Quinton Carter #28 of the Denver Broncos runs through the smoke as he's introduced to the crowd before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos heads back to the bench before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Wide receiver Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots is downed at the one yard line by cornerback Chris Harris #25 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Linebacker Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots recovers a fumble by the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Tight end Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots comes up short on a diving effort on a pass during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos reacts as he walks to the huddle during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos tries to escape the grasp of defensive end Brandon Deaderick #71 of the New England Patriots and recovers his fumble in the end zone during the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Injured safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos reacts on the field during a break in the action against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after being sacked late in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Patriots defeated the Broncos 41-23."

Sunday was far and above my best game of the season. Unfortuantely for the Broncos, thanks to three fumbles that lead to Patriots scores, they can't say the same.

I'll be honest and say that it feels great to come away with what I feel is a solid take of one of the most hyped games of the year. At the same time, there was definitely some luck involved.

Since it was such a big game, Getty had four shooters at the game and we each picked a quadrant of the field to work from. I had to send my selects to an editor in NYC during TV timeouts for him to caption, tone and transmit so I picked one of the spots in the North end zone. Thankfully for me, everything seemed to happen at my end of the field.

At the same time, I'm probably most pleased with the images that I found, created. My good buddy and feature slayer, Patrick, was in town shooting the game as part of our team and I'm sure that having him around pushed me to be even better.

I guess I can say that I enjoyed the pressure.

Even more images from the game on Getty's site.

NFL photos | Bears v Broncos

"A general view of the stadium as the Chicago Bears take on the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch in front of cornerback Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Miles the mascot of the Denver Broncos pumps up the crowd during a game against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas #88 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

"Jonathan Wilhite #29 of the Denver Broncos is unable to recover an onside kick against during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado."

"Running back Marion Barber #24 of the Chicago Bears fumbles the ball and it's recovered by defensive end Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos as cornerback Chris Harris #25 helps makes the tackle during overtime at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

"Place kicker Matt Prater #5 of the Denver Broncos is mobbed by teammates after kicking a game-winning 51-yard field goal in overtime against the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

"Defensive end Robert Ayers #91 of the Denver Broncos celebrates as he walks off the field after defeating the Chicago Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10 in overtime."

The Broncos did it again, but are you really surprised?

In what has become a weekly echo, the Broncos trailed going into the fourth quarter yet with the never say die attitude that Tim Tebow seems to ooze, they crawled their way back with a few minutes left on the clock. Mix in Matt Prater's golden foot and you'll get yourself another SportsCenter special.

Thank God.

For the first three quarters it was easier to spot an angel hovering above the stadium than it was to make even a mildly interesting photograph. Defense may win championships but it doesn't always make for compelling images.

I'm pretty sure I made 75 percent of my storytelling images between the 4 minute mark in the fourth quarter and the end of the game in overtime. Despite the frustration that caused, I wouldn't have it any other way. This was definitely a good one to shoot.

More from the game on Getty's site.