Before she was photographing Charlotte for The Observer, Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez was on the sidelines during one of the most iconic NFL seasons in recent memory: the 2015 Carolina Panthers’ Super Bowl run.
As the first female team photographer in the league, she documented the energy, emotion and behind-the-scenes moments that defined that legendary season — from playful practices to Super Bowl heartbreak.
In this video, Melissa reflects on what it meant to be behind the camera of a team that made history. Here are highlights from that conversation, in her own words.