Picture dynasty: Former Forum photographer set to work third Super Bowl in 4 years – InForum

FARGO — The Minnesotan in Nick Wagner was perplexed as The Seattle Times photojournalist captured photographs from the latest NFC championship recreation.

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had a spectacular efficiency to guide the Seattle Seahawks to a 31-27 dwelling victory in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field to earn a spot in Super Bowl LX.

“It’s been bittersweet as a Vikings fan,” said Wagner, a 2013 Ada-Borup (Minn.) High School graduate. “It’s good to see Sam have success.”

Darnold signed with the Seahawks prior to this season, after the Vikings let the veteran QB walk in favor of second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy. Darnold led Minnesota to a 14-3 record in 2024. He also led the Seahawks to a 14-3 mark this regular season, earning the NFC’s No. 1 seed for this playoff run.

“I think it’s the same question that goes through every Vikings fan’s mind,” added the 31-year-old Wagner, who interned at The Forum from 2014-15. “What if? What if we kept him?”

Professionally, Darnold’s and Seattle’s success has Wagner headed to the Super Bowl for the third time in 4 years. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots at 5:30 p.m. (CT) Sunday, Feb. 8, in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

“Definitely, fortunate, lucky, no matter you need to name it to have the ability to do that — three Super Bowls in 4 years,” Wagner mentioned.

Previously, Wagner labored

Super Bowl LVII (2022 season)

in Glendale, Arizona, and

Super Bowl LVIII (2023 season)

in Paradise, Nevada. He was protecting the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star in each these massive video games. Kansas City received each these video games. He was photographing the sport on the sector for these two Super Bowls.

This time he anticipates taking pictures the sport from the concourse degree as a part of the multiple-photographer crew for the Times. He expects the veteran photographers for the Seattle paper to get subject entry, which is restricted on the Super Bowl.

“It’s one thing totally different visually,” Wagner said. “You’re able to get a different perspective.”

Wagner said he shot a portrait of Darnold at the start of this season, but didn’t cover the Seahawks throughout the season as closely as he covered the Chiefs.

“This time it’s kind of been more hands off as I’m juggling all the other assignments across the newsroom,” Wagner mentioned. “It hasn’t been as close, but still a fun run.”

Coincidentally, the Seahawks have two former North Dakota State offensive linemen in their starting lineup in rookie guard Grey Zabel and center Jalen Sundell. Wagner said that has been in the back of his mind growing up near Fargo. However, he pointed out it would have been cooler to see former NDSU offensive lineman Mason Miller on this stage. Miller — an undrafted free agent — spent this season with the Detroit Lions, and is also an Ada-Borup High School graduate.

“That would have been further particular,” Wagner mentioned.

Wagner has shot from the concourse degree for each Seattle playoff wins this postseason. Rashid Shadeed’s punt return for a landing within the NFC Divisional spherical in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, and Dareke Young’s game-changing restoration of a muffed punt in opposition to the Rams within the NFC championship are two performs that stick out in Wagner’s thoughts.

Darnold accomplished 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in opposition to the Rams. Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 10 catches for 153 yards and a TD in that recreation.

“The main thing was so long as Sam took care of the ball in the playoffs, they had about as good a shot as anybody to go win it all, and here they are one game away,” Wagner said. “He’s had a good team to support him and the best receiver in the league as well.”

Peterson covers school athletics for The Forum, together with Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He additionally covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks unbiased baseball workforce and helps out with North Dakota State soccer protection. Peterson has been working on the newspaper since 1996.