Washingtonpost.com: History: RFK Stadium



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The One Constant
Once hailed as a modern, cutting- edge facility despite its share of inconveniences, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium was abandoned by the Washington Redskins for a brand new, state-of-the-art stadium after the 1996 season. Over the years, as the team's fortunes have risen and fallen, on warm early September days and frigid, snowy December afternoons, RFK Stadium has been the one constant.

RFK's Sweetest Sixteen
10/1/61: Giants rally from 21-7 down to beat Redskins, 24-21, as first game at D.C. Stadium draws 37,767.

10/17/61: Dick James sets team record with four TDs in one game as Redskins beat Dallas, 34-24.

11/25/65: Sonny Jurgensen leads Redskins to greatest comeback win in Redskins history. Trailing 21-0, Redskins beat Giants, 34-31.

11/27/66: Redskins and Giants combine to score most points in NFL history in 72-41 victory by Washington.

12/14/69: In Vince Lombardi's only season as head coach, Redskins beat New Orleans, 17-14, for their first winning season since 1955.

12/31/72: Before a howling crowd on New Year's Eve, George Allen's Redskins wallop Dallas, 26-3, for their first NFC title and a trip to Super Bowl VII.

10/8/73: Safety Ken Houston tackles Cowboys running back Walt Garrison at the goal line in the final seconds to preserve a 14-7 victory on Monday night.

10/13/74: Sonny Jurgensen, then 40 years old, rallies Redskins to 20-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, directing a 60-yard-drive in final minutes.

12/19/82: Mark Moseley kicks his 21st straight field goal, then an NFL record, in the final seconds as Redskins beat Giants, 15-14, in the snow.

1/15/83: John Riggins plows for 185 yards, then bows to the crowd as Redskins beat Minnesota, 21-7, and advance to NFC championship game.

1/22/83: Redskins avenge their only loss of the season with a 31-17 victory over Dallas in the NFC championship game and advance to Super Bowl XVII.

11/18/85: Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor tackles Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann and breaks his leg, ending Theismann's career.

1/17/88: Redskins beat Vikings, 17-10, and become first team to get to the Super Bowl three times in the 1980s.

11/24/91: Dallas upsets Redskins, 24-21, ending Washington's team record 11-game winning streak.

10/12/92: Art Monk becomes NFL's all-time leading pass receiver. His 820th career reception comes in 34-3 win over Denver.

10/1/95: Redskins, a 13-point underdog, beat Dallas, 27-23, their biggest upset victory since 1966.

RFK Stadium Opens
36,767 See Opener
In 1961, the Washington Redskins played their first-ever game at D.C. Stadium, as it was called at that time. It was against the New York Giants, and was witnessed by 36,767 fans. The Giants won, 24-21, but the game had a deeper meaning than one loss in a season. It was the beginning of an era for the city and its football team.

Day Before: Over 35,000 Expected
Day After: Stadium a Hit Despite Complaints

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Football at RFK
Through Eyes of Those At RFK
No story can be told better than by someone who was actually there. Read what some Redskin -- and even Cowboy -- greats had to say about their memories of RFK Stadium:

Joe Gibbs
Norv Turner
Bobby Mitchell
Sonny Jurgensen
Calvin Hill
Darrell Green
Ray Schoenke
Brig Owens
Joe Theismann
Paul Tagliabue
Etty Allen
Roger Staubach
Bill Parcells

Baseball at RFK
Baseball Flourished at RFK
The Senators' 71-year-old life ended in Sept. 1971, when, with one out remaining against the Yankees, hundreds of fans stormed the field at RFK Stadium and took pieces of the stadium with them. It marked the end of baseball in Washington, and the city is still struggling to regain it. Look back at the last game.

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