ESPN Cover Story returned this week with a multiplatform presentation of two superstar athletes recreating an iconic photo from nearly 25 years ago. ESPN senior editor Justin Bey steered the project featuring Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Bey spoke with Front Row:
How did the idea of doing this come about and what was the process of making it happen?
I was chasing a big feature on Anthony Edwards for nearly three years and developed a strong relationship with his team in the process. We bounced ideas back and forth and this was the first that struck a chord with Edwards because of his friendship and respect for Justin Jefferson.
When I booked both stars, I planned the shoot day with three goals: getting them to open up to Jamal Collier on camera, giving photographer Marcus Smith enough freedom to cook and making sure Edwards and Jefferson had fun on set. I asked them to play UNO and a game of PIG, and they had so much fun that they stayed an extra 30 minutes.
They’re two of the most energetic, funniest and electric players in the NFL and NBA and their personalities shined in Smith’s photos and the video feature produced by myself and features producer Luis Aldea, my colleague and mentor.
I was extremely confident ahead of the shoot because I’ve worked with all of the key players in the past; photo editors Anthony Spinelli and Nick Galac secured Smith, one the hottest photographers in the game; I also have close working relationships with Aldea and Collier.
Special thanks to senior social media manager Dean Berhow-Goll , who executed the storytelling strategy across ESPN’s social platforms and to executive editor Scott Burton for giving me the freedom and agency to chase and execute big projects like this.
Right: In 2000, Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings swapped jerseys for this iconic Sport Magazine photo. (Sport Magazine)
What was it about the 2000 photo that made it so iconic?
There’s something powerful about two young, Black stars supporting each other’s careers. At the time, Randy Moss and Kevin Garnett were dominant, electric showmen who were must-see TV.
That image provides hope to sports fans in Minnesota and other small market teams and reminds them of what could’ve been if Moss and Garnett stayed in Minneapolis. Everyone I speak to in the city — colleagues, friends, and workers across industries — all ride extremely hard for their sports teams, but most don’t believe that they can actually win a championship someday.
Outside of the WNBA’s Lynx, fans in Minnesota are used to constant disappointment. So, the new image provides hope and excitement for fans. It also provides a blueprint for the current and future generations of stars in the Twin Cities.
Jamal Collier, ESPN’s Chicago-based NBA reporter, sat down with Edwards and Jefferson for an exclusive interview for the ESPN Cover Story project.
“I just felt honored to be selected,” said Collier, who had worked with Bey earlier this year during the NBA Playoffs. “I’m thankful for Justin for giving me the opportunity.
“With the two athletes involved at the height of their ability and the history behind the original photo, I knew we had a chance at a special project, and I was excited to be a part of it.
