Texas Stadium
Many believe that football is a religion in the state of Texas. If that is true, then there may be no more sacred place than Texas Stadium.
Since its opening in 1971 Texas Stadium has become one of the enduring images of Texas alongside the Alamo, cowboy hats, and the lone star. Part of the popularity of Texas Stadium may be owed to the TV show “Dallas”, which showed the roof of the stadium, with its famous hole, in its opening.
The hole in the roof, similar to many European soccer stadiums, has been the subject of much conversation over the years. When the stadium was being designed many options were considered, including a dome, a closeable roof, and the current set up. The hole in the roof enables a majority of the fans attending the game to stay out of the weather, but leaves the players in the elements.
The distinctive look of the roof, however, was given a rather holy slant in 1982, when linebacker D.D. Lewis proclaimed, “Texas Stadium has a hole in the roof so God can watch his favorite team.” Little did he know, but Lewis may have been onto something. The first event ever held in Texas Stadium was not a football game, but a Billy Graham crusade in October of 1971. On the third night of his crusade, with rain pelting those on the platform Graham remarked, “It was 102 degrees on this platform Friday night, counting the television lights. Last night I almost froze here and tonight I am getting soaked.” His statement probably had as much to do with the infamous Texas weather as with the Texas Stadium roof.
Through the years, Texas Stadium has witnessed numerous football games. From Dallas Cowboy championship games, to college games, to high school playoff games, the almost 70,000 seats have been filled to capacity time and time again to watch Texas’ favorite pastime.
It has also been a notable music venue, hosting many celebrity musicians. Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Genesis, 'NSYNC, the Dave Matthews Band, Metallica, Madonna, Eagles, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Tim McGraw have all made their mark on Texas Stadium. In fact, the Garth Brooks concert of 1993 made a very permanent mark. His concert
gave the hole in the roof its crossbars, or bridges. The bars were installed so that Brooks could fly over the crowd during the concert, and they have been there ever since.
Like all good things, however, Texas Stadium’s time as the mecca of Texas football is coming to an end. A state-of-the-art new stadium is being built in Arlington. The new stadium, valued at over $1 billion will be one of the most up-to-date and expensive sporting facilities ever conceived. The Cowboys will begin playing in the new stadium in 2009.
No one is sure what will become of Texas Stadium once the new facility is finished. For now, the dreams and expectations of the Lone Star State are still focused on the big building with the hole in the roof and the team that plays there. Few athletic stadiums have played host to as many historic games and legendary players as the soon-to-be empty Texas Stadium.
Tours are given of Texas Stadium Monday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 4p.m. on the hour, and Sundays from 11a.m. to 3p.m. on the hour. Admission for adults is $12, children ages 5-12 and senior citizens age 60 and above are $7, and children under 5 are free of charge.
The tour gives you a chance to relive history by taking you through the stadium clubhouse and the Cowboys game-day locker room before you are able to enter the field itself through the players’ tunnel. While on the field you can take the opportunity to catch a touchdown pass in one of the end zones where some of the game’s greatest made their living.
Football may or may not be a religion in Texas, but either way everyone needs to make a pilgrimage to Texas Stadium.
Dallas, Texas
Since its opening in 1971 Texas Stadium has become one of the enduring images of Texas alongside the Alamo, cowboy hats, and the lone star. Part of the popularity of Texas Stadium may be owed to the TV show “Dallas”, which showed the roof of the stadium, with its famous hole, in its opening.
The hole in the roof, similar to many European soccer stadiums, has been the subject of much conversation over the years. When the stadium was being designed many options were considered, including a dome, a closeable roof, and the current set up. The hole in the roof enables a majority of the fans attending the game to stay out of the weather, but leaves the players in the elements.
The distinctive look of the roof, however, was given a rather holy slant in 1982, when linebacker D.D. Lewis proclaimed, “Texas Stadium has a hole in the roof so God can watch his favorite team.” Little did he know, but Lewis may have been onto something. The first event ever held in Texas Stadium was not a football game, but a Billy Graham crusade in October of 1971. On the third night of his crusade, with rain pelting those on the platform Graham remarked, “It was 102 degrees on this platform Friday night, counting the television lights. Last night I almost froze here and tonight I am getting soaked.” His statement probably had as much to do with the infamous Texas weather as with the Texas Stadium roof.
Through the years, Texas Stadium has witnessed numerous football games. From Dallas Cowboy championship games, to college games, to high school playoff games, the almost 70,000 seats have been filled to capacity time and time again to watch Texas’ favorite pastime.
It has also been a notable music venue, hosting many celebrity musicians. Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Genesis, 'NSYNC, the Dave Matthews Band, Metallica, Madonna, Eagles, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Tim McGraw have all made their mark on Texas Stadium. In fact, the Garth Brooks concert of 1993 made a very permanent mark. His concert
gave the hole in the roof its crossbars, or bridges. The bars were installed so that Brooks could fly over the crowd during the concert, and they have been there ever since.
Like all good things, however, Texas Stadium’s time as the mecca of Texas football is coming to an end. A state-of-the-art new stadium is being built in Arlington. The new stadium, valued at over $1 billion will be one of the most up-to-date and expensive sporting facilities ever conceived. The Cowboys will begin playing in the new stadium in 2009.
No one is sure what will become of Texas Stadium once the new facility is finished. For now, the dreams and expectations of the Lone Star State are still focused on the big building with the hole in the roof and the team that plays there. Few athletic stadiums have played host to as many historic games and legendary players as the soon-to-be empty Texas Stadium.
Tours are given of Texas Stadium Monday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 4p.m. on the hour, and Sundays from 11a.m. to 3p.m. on the hour. Admission for adults is $12, children ages 5-12 and senior citizens age 60 and above are $7, and children under 5 are free of charge.
The tour gives you a chance to relive history by taking you through the stadium clubhouse and the Cowboys game-day locker room before you are able to enter the field itself through the players’ tunnel. While on the field you can take the opportunity to catch a touchdown pass in one of the end zones where some of the game’s greatest made their living.
Football may or may not be a religion in Texas, but either way everyone needs to make a pilgrimage to Texas Stadium.
Dallas, Texas
