Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, informally known as
RFK Stadium, is a sports
stadium that opened in
1961. Originally called D.C. Stadium, it served as home to the
Washington Senators of
Major League Baseball from
1962 to
1971 when the team moved to
Arlington,
Texas. The stadium was renamed for the slain
presidential candidate
Robert Kennedy in
1969. RFK was the home of the
Washington Redskins, a team in the
National Football League, from 1961 until
1996, when the team moved to a brand new state-of-the-art stadium in suburban
Maryland (known as
FedEx Field). It now serves as the home of
D.C. United of the
MLS (Major League Soccer). Concerts featuring renowned rock bands and performers still take place at the stadium. It also hosted
World Cup matches in
1994.
RFK Stadium is most remembered for being home to the Redskins. The Redskins' first game in RFK Stadium was a 24-21 loss to the New York Giants on October 1, 1961. The team's first win in the stadium was over its archrival, the Dallas Cowboys on December 17, 1961. The Redskins' last win at RFK Stadium was a 37-10 trouncing of the Cowboys on December 22, 1996
On September 29, 2004, Major League Baseball announced its intentions to move the Montreal Expos to Washington, DC. Plans call for RFK Stadium to have a $13 million dollar renovation, and to be used for a total of three years for a new Washington baseball team, while a $440 million dollar state-of-the-art stadium is built on the north bank of the Anacostia River at South Capitol Street. If all goes to plan, the first MLB game at RFK Stadium should be played April 15, 2005, vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Memorable games/moments at RFK Stadium
- After trailing the Cowboys 24-6 halfway through the third quarter on November 28, 1965 quarterback Sonny Jurgensen leads the team to 21 fourth quarter points and a 34-31 comeback victory.
- The Redskins beat the New York Giants 72-41 on November 27, 1966. The 113 combined points are the most ever scored in an NFL game.
- On December 31, 1971 the Redskins defeat the Cowboys 26-3 in the NFC Championship game to earn a trip to Super Bowl VII.
- In a Monday Night Football game on October 8, 1973 Redskins safety Ken Houston stops Cowboys' receiver Walt Garrison at the goal line as time expired to secure a win.
- December 17, 1977 - the Redskins defeat the Los Angeles Rams 17-14 in what would be head coach George Allen's final game with the team.
- October 25, 1981 - the Redskins narrowly beat the New England Patriots 24-22 to earn head coach Joe Gibbs his first win at RFK Stadium.
- January 22, 1983 - a capacity crowd of 54,000 chant "We Want Dallas" taunting the hated Cowboys and making the stadium shake in the NFC Championship game. The Redskins go on to defeat the Cowboys 31-17 to earn a trip to Super Bowl XVII where they beat the Miami Dolphins 24-17.
- September 5, 1983 - Redskins' rookie cornerback Darrell Green chases down Cowboys' running back Tony Dorsett from behind to prevent him from scoring. The Redskins go on to lose the game 31-30.
- November 18, 1985 - Giants' linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacks Redskins' quarterback Joe Theismann breaking his leg and ending his NFL career. Backup quarterback Jay Schroeder comes in and leads the Redskins to a 23-21 victory.
- January 17, 1988 Cornerback Darrell Green knocks down a Wade Wilson pass at the goal line to clinch a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game. The Redskins go on to defeat the Denver Broncos 41-10 in Super Bowl XXII.
- January 4, 1992 - in pouring rain the Redskins beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-7 in the Divisional round of the playoffs. As time wound down in the fourth quarter the fans showered the field yellow seat cushions given to them as a free gift as they entered the stadium.
- January 12, 1992 - the Redskins destroy the Detroit Lions 41-10 in the NFC Championship game earning a trip to Super Bowl XXVI where they beat the Buffalo Bills 37-24.
- December 13, 1992 - Redskins coach Joe Gibbs coaches what would be his last game at RFK Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 20-17.
- October 27, 1997 - D.C. United defeats the Colorado Rapids 2-1 to win their second consecutive MLS Cup.
- October 15, 2000 - the Kansas City Wizards defeat the Chicago Fire 1-0 to win their first MLS Cup.
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