DAVID BOSS
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David spent 38 years working at the NFL. His official association began in 1958 when Pete Rozelle put him to work on the Rams game program, In that same year, he began to go on the field to take photographs of the games, including at the time, all 25 Super Bowls.
David saw his first NFL game in 1947 at the Coliseum between the Rams and Cardinals. While attending the Cleveland Art Institute, he regularly went to Browns games in the early 50’s and in 1954 began photographing the Pro Bowl and photographed every one of them until he retired.
Growing up in West Texas, football was his passion. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue his art and started his own design company in 1951. He pursued the Rams to do their design work and was hired. He was a friend to the new owner, Carroll Rosenbloom. David taught himself photography and his art background gave him the “the eye”. He later published a book called “The Eclectic Eye” which depicted his stunning photography through the years.
He joined the NFL Properties as a consultant in 1963 and became its fourth employee in 1965. David became Corporate Vice President and Creative Director for NFL Properties for 26 years. David painted the first set of NFL team paintings in 1965 that were produced as the first set of posters for the NFL. He was also responsible for commissioning the Super Bowl art from Super Bowl I to XXV as well as all the Super Bowl programs. David was an avid comic book collector and his appreciation for the art was inspiring to his amazing talent and artistry.
His legacy with the NFL is exemplified by his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 when he was presented with the Daniel F. Reeves Pioneer Award. The award states that “Dave Boss Established and Developed NFL Creative Services an Image-Enhancing Concept New to Professional Sports”. He is one of only a few who were not players or coaches to be so honored.
In 1998 the Pro Football Hall of Fame again honored David when they renamed the winning entry in the annual photo contest “The Dave Boss Award of Excellence”.
David left a professional photo archive which documents his life’s work with the NFL. His photographs have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and other NFL publications such as Game Day Magazine, PRO Magazine and Super Bowl and Pro Bowl programs.
He, more than any other person, has been responsible for the transformation of sports graphics in the country. He was an illustrator, artist, creative director, photographer and mentor to many.
David’s legacy of excellence has had a positive influence and effect on the graphic design and promotion of all sports, amateur and professional alike. Among the books he conceived, contributed to and produced were: “The First 50 Years”, “A History of Professional Football”, “The Pro Football Experience”, “A Game of Passion”, “Great Ones” , “NFL Quarterbacks from Baugh to Montana”, “The NFL Experience”, and “More Than A Game”. In his spare time, he conceived, edited and produced “A Treasury of American Wines”, another subject on which he was an authority, and was project director for “Conquest, A Cavalcade of USC Football”.
David Boss was well-known among sports photographers everywhere as a patron, colleague, friend and mentor. His legacy and influence will forever live in the hearts and minds of those he so touched.
Davis Boss passed away January 8, 1999.
David Boss | Malcolm Emmons | Manny Rubio | Herb Weitman
Darryl Norenberg | Rod Hanna | Richard Mackson | Dick Raphael