A look back at RFK Stadium

RFK Stadium, which turns 50 years old this week, has a special place in D.C. sports lore. The stadium’s days as home to D.C. United are likely numbered, as the club is looking to build a soccer-specific stadium somewhere in the D.C. region.

5 Seconds

00:00

The area at the end of East Capitol Street was recommended as the site for Washington's new District Stadium at a cost of about $20 million.

The Washington Post /

A photo from December 1960 shows the early stages of RFK Stadium's construction. The stadium opened in October 1961.

J.W. Stinchcomb

RFK Stadium in 1962.

Joseph Silverman / The Washington Star

Washington Senators President Pete Quesada, left, takes a look at how construction is going in May 1961.

Joe Heiberger / The Washington Post

Rep. Oren Harris (D-Ark.) dedicates what was then known as D.C. Stadium in October 1961. Harris introduced the bill to build the $24 million structure.

Del Vecchio / The Washington Post

D.C. Stadium, which was renamed RFK Stadium in 1969, was home to the Washington Senators from 1962 to 1971.

The Washington Post

Senators slugger 6-foot-7 Frank Howard, nicknamed "The Capital Punisher," takes his cuts in the on-deck circle.

The Washington Post

President John F. Kennedy shakes hands with St. Louis Cardinals slugger Stan Musial before the start of the 1962 All-Star Game at D.C. Stadium.

Senators fan Steve Adamson leans over the dugout to shake hands with Washington's Dave Nelson (15) before fans stormed the field in the ninth inning of the Senators' last game at RFK in 1971.

/ AP

The Washington Redskins' Charley Taylor catches a pass from Billy Kilmer during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in 1972. Washington Post photographer Dick Darcey anticipated this catch while he was shooting midfield with the other photographers and sprinted to the north end zone just in time to get this shot.

RICHARD DARCEY / TWP

Fans lined up for Redskins playoff tickets outside RFK Stadium in January 1983.

Harry Nalchayan / The Washington Post

Fans cheer on the Redskins against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1983 NFC championship game. Charles Brotman, a longtime fan, said one of the best parts of the games was the Washington Touchdown Club, an elite social and sports fan club.

Dudley M. Brooks / The Washington Post

The Rev. Sun Myung Moon of the controversial Unification Church and his wife bless about 40,000 couples from around the world in a mass marriage ceremony in November 1997. Moon recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

Susan Biddle / The Washington Post

No matter how cold the weather, Redskins fans even in 1986 could always be counted on to tailgate in the RFK Stadium parking lots before games. The Redskins went 12-4 that year, 3 years after the team's 1983 Super Bowl victory.

Sharon Farmer / For The Washington Post

The NFL strike in 1987 left Redskins fans like Kevin and Neil Lockwood lost.

Dave R. Frazier / For The Washington Post

Fans of Mexico parade outside RFK Stadium before a 1994 World Cup game.

Juana Arias / The Washington Post

After the first half of a soccer game between the U.S. and Germany in 2002, visitors make a stop in the men's restroom.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Workers repainted the end zone at RFK Stadium during the 1994 season.

L. Morris / The Washington Post

With “Bafo Be Africa” (a.k.a. Bob Vokes) standing and Rob Gabriels flipping, the two perform an aerial act during the first act of the show during the UniverSoul circus in 1997.

Michael Williamson / The Washington Post

An unidentified man collects turf from RFK Stadium following the Redskins’ final game in 1996 before moving to a newer stadium. Phil Hochberg, a longtime announcer at the stadium, wore a tuxedo to the game. "People were celebrating the many years of success," he said.

Rich Lipski / The Washington Post

From left, Heather Sikes, 15, of Springfield gives a high five to Megan Harris, 16, also of Springfield, at the "United We Stand -- What More Can I Give" benefit concert in October 2001, for victims of the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Frank Johnston / The Washington Post

Mike Wyand, center, from Falls Church, cheers during the Cadillac Grand Prix race at RFK Stadium.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

In January 2005, workers rushed to give RFK Stadium new life, as the Washington Nationals soon would take the field.

Preston Keres / The Washington Post

Chris Holman, his 18-month-old son Mitchell, 5-year-old son Matthew and wife Michelle Holman have 50-yard-line seats at RFK stadium, where they were able to watch the game courtesy of a WHFS 99.1 radio contest.

Tyler Mallory / For The Washington Post

The pitcher's mound is lowered into position under the careful guidance of iron workers Shawn Fitzgerald, left; Larry Stern, in the hold; Walt Tyszko; and engineer Jim Hepworth, right, during the installation at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 2005.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

In 2004, D.C. officials toured the stadium to gauge its readiness for the return of Major League Baseball.

James A. Parcell / The Washington Post

White seats, shown in a 2004 photo, designated the center field landing spots for monstrous home runs hit by Senators slugger Frank Howard.

Robert A. Reeder / The Washington Post

Workers push to get RFK Stadium ready for the Nationals' return in April 2005.

Preston Keres / The Washington Post

President George W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch at RFK Stadium on April 14, 2005. The game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks was the first regular-season baseball game in the nation's capital in 34 years.

Evan Vucci / AP

D.C. United's Jaime Moreno wipes tears away after he played his last game Oct. 23, 2010 . His 14 years in the MLS ended as D.C. United lost to the Toronto FC 3 -2 at RFK Stadium.

John McDonnell / The Washington Post

The state of the restrooms at RFK Stadium.

Doug Kapustin / For The Washington Post

RFK Stadium's days as home to D.C. United are probably numbered, as the club is looking to build a soccer-specific stadium somewhere in the Washington-Baltimore area. Oscar Zambrana says RFK isn’t bad, but all D.C. United fans want the soccer team to have a stadium of its own.

Doug Kapustin / For The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

A masquerader from the Fantasy carnival band dances on stage on the final day of the carnival at Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain February 21, 2012. Picture taken February 21. REUTERS/Andrea De Silva (TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Tags: SOCIETY)

Carnival, Nationals spring training, Australian foreign minister resigns and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Feb. 15, 2012: French bulldog Baby attends the feeding of wild boar piglets at the Lehnitz animal sanctuary outside Berlin, Germany. Six little pigs have found a new friend in a maternal French bulldog named Baby. The Lehnitz animal sanctuary outside Berlin says Baby took straight to the wild boar piglets when they were brought in Saturday, three days old and shivering from cold. Sanctuary worker Norbert Damm said Wednesday as soon as the furry striped piglets were brought in, Baby ran over and started snuggling them and keeping them warm, even though they're already about her size. He says the piglets' mother was likely killed by a hunter and the litter was found abandoned in a forest. The piglets are being bottlefed right now and should be released to an animal sanctuary when they can feed themselves in about three months.

Animal views

A French bulldog adopts wild boar piglets, a fingernail-size chameleon, frill-necked lizards and more.

Barbadian singer Rihanna accepts the International Female Solo Artist award at the BRIT Awards 2012 in London on February 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Adele, Joan Collins, Raquel Welch, Rooney Mara and other celebrities.

This undated image released by Julien's Auctions shows a pair of pearl drop earrings worn by Whitney Houston in the movie The Bodyguard,Warner Bros., 1992.Â This item is part of âHollywood Legendsâ auction scheduled to run on Saturday March 31, 2012 through Sunday April 1st at the Julienâs Auctions gallery in Beverly Hills.Â (AP Photo/Julien's Auctions)

Whitney Houston items up for auction

Items that belonged to or were used by the late pop icon will be sold by Julien’s Auctions in March. Here is a look at those items, plus other celebrity items auctioned by Julien&rsquo...

A reveler with the Mystic Stripers tosses trinkets to the crowds gathered on Royal Street in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. The pre-Lenten blowout continues along the Gulf Coast culminating in Fat Tuesday celebrations Feb. 21. Tourism leaders estimate more than a million visitors pour into the Mobile area each Mardi Gras season to watch the festivities. (AP Photo/Mobile Register, G.M. Andrews) MAGS OUT; NO SALES

Mardi Gras around the globe

Revelers around the world celebrate Fat Tuesday, the day before the fasting season of Lent begins.

Kennedy Space Center at 50

The Kennedy Space Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the 50th anniversary of John Glenn’s orbital flight.

ATTENTION EDITORS - IMAGE 4 OF 25 FOR PICTURE PACKAGE 'MONGOLIA'S OLYMPIC GYM ' Mongolia's Olympic freestyle 60kg wrestler Mandakhnaran Ganzorig limbers with a partner at a wrestling gym in Ulan Bator, October 27, 2012. While the elite of the sporting world tune up for the London Olympics in world class facilities, other gold medal hopefuls are forced to make do with less salubrious surroundings. In Mongolia, Asian champion Ganzorig trains alongside children playing basketball in an old, tired gym with paint peeling from the walls. Children play on ancient free weight machines, climb ropes and roll around on the floor mimicking their wrestling hero as he warms up for his training session in the corner. Picture taken October 27, 2012 REUTERS/Kieran Doherty (MONGOLIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS)

Olympic dreams, shabby surroundings

While the elite of the sporting world tune up for the London Olympics in world-class facilities, other gold medal hopefuls are forced to make do with less. In Mongolia, Asian champion...

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2011 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks in Redmond, Wash. To hear some Republican presidential candidates tell it, the president’s pen is a magic wand that can make Obamacare vanish in one day and sweep in cheaper health care, economic growth and lots of jobs in businesses freed from the health care law’s heavy hand. But there is no such fairy dust in Washington. Across the board, the contenders pledge to repeal the overhaul. In doing so, some are more realistic than others about what they can achieve and how fast. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

10 richest U.S. presidents

If Mitt Romney wins the election, it will him the second-wealthiest president in our nation’s history. Here’s a list of the richest presidents, ranked by 24/7 Wall Street...

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment
Read about the changes to comment thread appearance, moderation.

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

A look back at RFK Stadium

RFK Stadium, which turns 50 years old this week, has a special place in D.C. sports lore. The stadium’s days as home to D.C. United are likely numbered, as the club is looking to build a soccer-specific stadium somewhere in the D.C. region.

Featured Photo Galleries

Partners