For more than five decades, Ed Mahan has documented the Philadelphia Eagles as their first full-time photographer. He began his work with the team on December 20, 1970, and will retire after shooting his final game when the Eagles face the Browns in a preseason matchup.
Mahan decided to retire about a month ago, stating that he now feels it is time to be at home. “It just seems like a few things all sort of fell together,” Mahan said over the phone. “You have to stop doing this at some point in your life, so I thought it’d be better if it was my decision.”
His connection to the Eagles started through former General Manager Jimmy Murray. After painting Murray’s house and through a family friendship dating back to Villanova University, Mahan was invited to photograph the last game at Franklin Field. His work led him to become a regular presence on the sidelines.
Over his career, Mahan witnessed and captured many significant moments for the Eagles. In 1978, during the “Miracle at the Meadowlands,” he was one of the few photographers who stayed on the field long enough to capture images of the decisive play. The following year, he photographed Jimmy Murray with Pope John Paul II during a visit to Philadelphia; that image appeared on “Monday Night Football” soon after.
Colleagues say Mahan’s influence extended beyond photography. Drew Hallowell, who met Mahan in 1996 and worked alongside him for years, described him as a mentor whose most important lesson was not technical but personal: “The most important thing from Ed that he tells anybody that’s ever worked for him is to have fun while you’re working,” Hallowell said. “If you’re not having fun, then the job can be terrible. No matter what you do, for that matter.”
Kiel Leggere, director of photography for the Eagles, noted Mahan’s longstanding impact across multiple Philadelphia sports teams since 1970. “To be able to be a team photographer for not only the Eagles, but the other teams in Philadelphia since 1970 is truly amazing,” Leggere said. “I think it speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the value of his work. Just to be able to have somebody that has done it that long is incredible. I admire that about Ed.
“He treats everybody with the uttermost respect. He always would tell me that the most valuable thing is just to have good people on your team… Ed has just been an awesome learning lesson for me.”
Both Leggere and Hallowell credit Mahan with laying much of the groundwork for team photography within the organization.
“None of the photographers really would be where we are today without Ed,” Hallowell said.
After 55 years documenting key moments in Eagles history and shaping those around him professionally and personally, Ed Mahan concludes his career with lasting influence throughout both team and city.
