A Michigan-based photographer captured the photo of a lifetime hovering 4,000 feet above the Rose Bowl.
The picture was captured during the Michigan Wolverines matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.
“(I) knew someday that if Michigan ever made the Rose Bowl, I’m dropping whatever I’m doing, I’m going, and I’m doing whatever I can to get that shot,” said Tyler Leipprandt.
Leipprandt of Traverse City took the photo from a helicopter, capturing the stealth bomber flying over the packed stadium.
He named it “For All The Roses”.
Leipprandt, who owns Michigan Sky Media, said because of the temporary fly restriction in place, they had to fly at least 3,000 feet in the air.
He said Air Traffic Control didn’t give them final approval until the morning of the game.
“The whole trip for me was a gamble,” Leipprandt said. “It was a gamble I was willing to take to get the top-of-my-bucket-list shot.”
Leipprandt said the pressure was on to get the perfect shot.
“Ever since I booked the trip and had that month of planning, I was nervous,” Leipprandt said. “I’m spending a lot of money to get out there; I travel quite a bit, so I’m leaving my family again and all for a split second trying to capture that shot.”
He got the shot.
“I looked at it and knew I got it and that’s when I started celebrating in the back and fist bumping my brother,” Leipprandt said.
Leipprandt posted the photo to social media while inside the stadium watching the game.
He said within 20 minutes, ESPN had picked up the shot, and it took off from there.
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