Sports photography: Sometimes the view is more interesting from above

Have you ever wished that you could have a bird's eye view of some of the greatest players, venues and games in sports history?

Well, here's a start. SI.com combed through its databases and compiled this View From Above photo gallery of some of its favorite aerial and overhead pictures.

Take a look at Team USA goalie Jim Craig and teammate Ken Morrow defending the goal in the 1980 Miracle on Ice victory over the USSR in Lake Placid, N.Y.

USA goalie Jim Craig and Ken Morrow (3) defending the net in the 1980 Miracle on Ice victory over the USSR in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated

Then study the scene after Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of their 1974 Rumble in the Jungle.

Referee Zack Clayton counts out George Foreman after Muhammad Ali downed him in the eighth round of their 1974 bout.

Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Photographers don't get enough credit for their creativy and ingenuity. But as this gallery attests, sometimes the view is more interesting from above. See the full gallery here.

-Andy Wittry