Drowning with Red Bulls

"As a steady rain falls, forward Thierry Henry #14 of the New York Red Bulls ducks his head as his team walks into the locker room at the end of the first half down, 3-0, against D.C. United at RFK Stadium on April 22, 2012 in Washington, DC."

I'll admit it, I don't get star-struck or pay much attention to the idolizing fame that professional athletes sport.

When I first began shooting professional sports, I certainly felt much more of a rush around them. Nowadays, it's just another game, with the same old cast.

Despite being an athlete myself, and sharing that common bond of fierce competitiveness, pride to be the best, and addiction to be apart of the greatest team ever, I can only name a few athletes, living or deceased, that I'd ever truly want to photograph due to stature, celebrity alone.

While not one of my top five, I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to photograph a bucket list athlete on Sunday while on assignment for Getty Images - that being New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry.

Growing up playing soccer, Henry was I name I knew and loved. Not to mention, as a huge English Premier League fan, he is the closest thing I've photographed to it to date.

Although losing soundly, 4-1, to D.C. United in a very wet, rainy match, photographing him curl in a free kick to go into a first place tie for the MLS Golden Boot race, was magnificent. It was also pretty cool to see a former teammate of mine (at a young age), Kenny Cooper, running alongside him.

Alas, while I wanted to document Henry blast home more than 10 goals and juke everyone on the field, sometimes you lose, and the above image summed up the night.