Texas Stadium Demolished
Published 11th April 2010 - IRVING, Texas -The Associated Press
More than 20,000 people gathered at tailgate parties and other spots Sunday to watch fireworks go off one last time over Texas Stadium before a ton of dynamite lit up the Dallas Cowboys' longtime home and brought it to the ground.
The building known for the giant hole in its roof — “so God can watch his team,” according to local lore — was demolished in a planned implosion set off by the 11-year-old winner of an essay contest.
The Cowboys played 38 seasons in Texas Stadium, winning five Super Bowls during that time. The local landmark also was home for the world famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Hundreds of people arrived Saturday and stayed up all night for “final tailgate” parties before the implosion scheduled for 7 a.m. Along with the more than 20,000 assembled at official locations, people watched from hotels and office buildings as far as 16 kilometres away in downtown Dallas. Many former Cowboys players were among those taking a last look.
The event was surrounded by hoopla befitting the glitzy image of a club that bills itself as “America's Team.” Local television stations carried the implosion live, and ESPN's Chris Berman served as the master of ceremonies.
When Casey Rogers pushed the button, white light flashed in the stadium's interior and there was a rumbling that sounded like a drumbeat. Then the ground shook and a cloud of smoke went up as the building dropped within seconds.
Watch it here.
