Tomlinson had to get on board for this photo shoot: how'd we do that?

Staff photographer Robert Seale arrived in LaDainian Tomlinson's town last week unsure of where he wanted to photograph the Chargers running back the following day. "We often have a few minutes with an athlete at a practice facility or a stadium" Seale says, "but I thought a scenic San Diego venue was in order."

Thus, the stunning shots on the cover and on page 18 of Tomlinson--TSN's top-ranked NFL player--aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

It took inspiration, good luck and some heavy lifting to make it happen.

A friend was showing Seale the sights on Coronado Island when Seale spotted the Nimitz among other Naval vessels at harbor. As luck would have it, the friend had a friend who made some phone calls and, in three hours, had Seale cleared to photograph Tomlinson aboard the ship.

On the Nimitz the next day, Seale and assistant Shawn Cullen hauled four 70-pound bags containing lights, cameras and other equipment through a series of narrow hallways and doorways and up six flights of ladder-like stairs to reach the flight deck. Says Seale, "The thought occurred to me that it might be much easier to throw all our equipment overboard and buy new stuff rather than carry it back down those harrowing stairs."

Tomlinson was a terrific sport during the shoot, jumping over and over into the air, Seale says, "like an F-18 being launched off the catapult beneath his feet."

Most of the ship's crew was on shore leave, but Tomlinson took time to shake hands, sign autographs and pose for pictures with those who remained on board.

The last word goes to Seale: "Be sure to tell the boss we didn't throw the gear overboard."

COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning