1994 Giants Cowboys Monopod Incident

I was covering the Dallas Cowboys versus the New York Giants football game at Texas stadium in 1994 when a fight broke out in the end zone just before halftime. I threw my Nikon F2 with a 300mm f/2.8 lens mounted onto a Bogen monopod over my shoulder and grabbed my second body – another F2 fitted with a 50mm lens to shoot the fray. As I began shooting I saw a Cowboys player rush towards me on my left. I thought he was going to hit me because I had stepped into their “territory.” Instead, the player, James Washington, ripped the long lens camera from my arm and began using my camera as a defensive weapon. I immediately turned to shoot photos of him. Stadium security eventually found and returned my camera but the monopod was irreparably damaged (bent) during the melee. A few weeks later I approached Washington to ask if he would sign the monopod. I was planning to donate it to a charity auction. He said, “So you’re the one who cost me a 10000 fine (from the NFL)” His comment was astonishing to me and I replied by reminding him that HE was the one who took MY camera. His reply was to simply turn his back to me. I found this video on YouTube and thought it was worth sharing. I still have that bent monopod and as soon as I can find that photo I shot of him, I’ll post it.

Comments (4)

shortbusphatkid says:

September 14, 2009 at 9:29 am

lol is that you the camera guy david?? this is summy!!! lol
davidjleeson says:

November 3, 2009 at 3:43 am

Yes. That’s me.
deionBUMPEDirvin1994 says:

January 3, 2010 at 6:18 pm

i heard barry switzer told james washington after this incident, something along the lines of “why the hell did you take the camera? what were you gonna do, line them up (giants) and take their picture?”
TXCCAM says:

July 22, 2010 at 5:28 pm

how did that fight start

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