The 40

The 40 represents a group of forty NFL rookies recognized by the NFLPA for their potential on and off the field. These athletes are entering the league with opportunities to expand their media presence and influence beyond football.

The project was an internal production, featuring photographer Hayden Sahli. He captures each player’s unique character, with his expertise adding depth to their portrayals and emphasizing individuality.

We set up a small cyc with stylized lighting and wardrobe options in a conference room during the NFLPA's annual Rookie Premiere, held at a hotel in downtown Los Angeles. This event introduces players to the league, its partners, and sponsors, culminating in their jersey unveilings.

The content captured is distributed across various NFLPA and player platforms. Each player will be featured throughout the season, highlighting both their on-field performance and off-field endeavors. Here are just a few samples of the content captured.

Role: Creative Director/Designer Producer: DJ Cottrell Photographer/DP: Hayden Sahli Production: Internal