The man behind one of the most iconic images in American sports history died Tuesday.
Renowned Sports Illustrated photographer Heinz Klutmayer has died at the age of 82 due to complications from Parkinson's disease and a stroke.
Krutmeier was the man behind the lens of the memorable photo of the “Miracle on Ice” when the U.S. men's hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, New York, at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
This iconic photo graced the cover of SI's March 1980 issue, making it the only cover to appear without a headline.
Photos showed U.S. players celebrating on the ice shortly after the final horn sounded.
Krootmayer told Sports Illustrated. In a 2008 interview, he said that the “Miracle on Ice” photo was the most memorable Olympic photo he had ever taken.
“This is the only cover I've ever published without using the cover words,” he said at the time. “There was no need for that. Everyone in America knew what happened. A close second place at the same Olympics was (speed skater) Eric Heiden. Before the Olympics, On the cover, he wore a gold suit for the first time. And I have to say the last Olympics I really enjoyed was with Michael. [Phelps] He won his first medal in Athens. It was an unbridled enthusiasm. I didn't study anything, I didn't plan anything, I didn't choreograph anything. It was, “Wow, we won.” That was my last Olympic cover. ”
Krootmayer immigrated to the United States when he was nine years old and began taking photographs at age 15.
He began his career at the Milwaukee Journal and joined Time Inc. in 1969, where his photographs appeared in LIFE magazine and Sports Illustrated.
Krutmeier retired in 2016, and one of the last sporting events he photographed was that year's Kentucky Derby.
“He worked harder than anyone else.” Krootmeier's daughter Jessie told CBS 42.
“His work was his own work, and I think he took pleasure in that.”
