Duane Rodriguez has never been camera shy.
In fact, the Milwaukee native has been behind a television camera for nearly 30 years, capturing the emotion and distinct images from the world of sports.
What started out as a freelance gig covering a pro wrestling match for NBC here in his hometown back in the early ‘80s has blossomed into a regular rotation at the Super Bowl.
"It is a real big deal," said Rodriguez. "It's still quite exciting."
Rodriguez, 52, will operate one of the low end zone cameras at field level for CBS on Sunday when the Saints and Colts sort things out in Super Bowl XLIV. This will be his fourth Super Bowl, and his second in Miami. He also was also on hand for Super Bowl XLI (2007), when the Colts beat the Bears in South Florida. Before that, he worked Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004) in Houston and Super Bowl XXXII (1998) in San Diego.
"I'm on a little platform on the field in the low right end zone," said Rodriguez. "I did this same camera last time in Miami. I had some stuff like isolating Brian Urlacher, and some receiver isos (isolations). I have specific things to do in certain situations.
"There are so many cameras, they break it down where you each have little specific things to do, and when those situations come up, you pretty much do it.
"It's beauty in motion watching these athletes, and you really don't have to do much except be there and let it happen in your frame."
For a veteran like Rodriguez, Super Bowls are old hat. Don't take that the wrong way. This is one of the biggest stages for an athletic event, not to mention a camera operator. But a dozen years ago, when his home state Green Bay Packers were teeing it up against John Elway and the Denver Broncos in San Diego, Rodriguez was a mess before the game.
"I was literally shaking and it took me like five minutes to settle down," said Rodriguez. "I'm still as excited, but you learn how to control the butterflies. I realize now, you really have to let the game come to you. Try to relax, let it happen and everything will really work out.
"My instincts will take over and then I don't think about it, and then I just naturally react. And that's when it works."
Rodriguez has been in Miami all week doing a "dress rehearsal" for Sunday. Don't think for a minute that anyone involved with a massive production such as the Super Bowl simply shows up on game day, flips the switch, and shoots the showdown.
In fact, Rodriguez says he is prepping for two shows -- the game itself, and then halftime featuring The Who.
"They will change some of the cameras at halftime and switch everything from the CBS truck to the truck of the guys that are directing the halftime show -- an entirely different crew, and they're British!"
Rodriguez has been a regular weekend warrior for some time now, bringing us the pictures from AFC games first for NBC, when it owned the rights, and recently, CBS, since they took over the American Football Conference. Duane can also claim Olympics coverage on his resume, along with his "regular" gig here in Milwaukee. The bulk of his freelance schedule involves Brewers and Bucks coverage for Fox Sports Wisconsin.
"I've never thought of leaving Milwaukee," said Rodriguez. "I enjoy doing the home show for FS Wisconsin. All the guys here (in Miami), they know our guys from Milwaukee. It's good to represent the good quality people we have there."
Rodriguez is not the only Wisconsinite who is able to land plum gigs like the Super Bowl. There is a healthy handful of local sports production personnel who have traveled to the Olympics, NASCAR, Wimbledon, Super Bowls, and big ticket events. Simply put, Milwaukee people are exceptional at what they do.
"I think there's a group of guys that are more than just technicians," said Rodriguez. "You can be a great camera operator, great tape operator, audio or whatever. But you really have to know the content of what you are shooting. If you know the little intricacies of what happens, you can anticipate a player's reaction and be prepared for them. A lot of guys here (in Milwaukee), get that."
Sheboygan native Andy Stieber is representing in Miami as well, manning a camera for the Super Bowl "world" feed. He and Rodriguez will both be hoping for that magical moment where the defining snapshot, perhaps a history-making clip, just happens to fall into frame.
"If I maintain my foundation, if I just go in there and do what I can do, I'll be fine... it'll happen," said Rodriguez. "And if I get lucky and get all these really crazy good shots, it's actually a detriment, because I'll never be able to capture that every time out!"
For all the skill and preparation that goes into capturing a sporting event, there is another element that cannot be planned.
"It's luck," Rodriguez said. "It's definitely luck."
Bob currently does play-by-play at Time Warner Cable Sports 32, calling Wisconsin Timber Rattlers games in Appleton as well as the area high school football and basketball scene. During an earlier association with FS Wisconsin, his list of teams and duties have included the Packers, Bucks, Brewers and the WIAA State Championships.
During his life before cable, Bob spent seven seasons as a reporter and producer of "Preps Plus: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel High School Sports Show."
And the joke is, Bob has a golf shirt from all four Milwaukee television stations. Sad, but true: Bob has had sports and news anchor/reporter/producer stints at WTMJ, WISN, WDJT and WITI.
His first duty out of college (UW-Oshkosh) was radio and TV work in Eau Claire. Bob spent nearly a decade at WEAU-TV as a sports director and reporter.
You may have heard Bob's pipes around town as well. He has done play-by-play for the Milwaukee Mustangs, Milwaukee Iron, and UW-Milwaukee men's and women's basketball. Bob was the public address announcer for five seasons for both the Marquette men and women's basketball squads. This season, you can catch the starting lineups of the UW-Milwaukee Panther men's games with Bob behind the mic.
A Brookfield Central graduate, Bob's love and passion for sports began at an early age, when paper football leagues, and Wiffle Ball All Star Games were all the rage in the neighborhood.
