To many professional football historians, Texas Stadium's legacy will be firmly entrenched among the most hallowed grounds the sport has ever known. Among stadiums still in use, it's hard to argue the case that only Lambeau Field holds more historical significance in terms of the NFL.
Of course, that will no longer be the case for the 2009 regular season as the Cowboys leave an ever-lasting legacy in Irving for their spectacular new stadium in Arlington. With that in mind, here's a look at 10 other memorable NFL venues that have previously closed their gates for eternity:
The Astrodome
When it was first opened in 1965, many dubbed it the "Eighth Wonder of the World," and with good reason. The world's first domed stadium cost some $35 million to erect and seated more than 62,000 for football games.
The Houston Oilers called this multi-purpose venue home for nearly three decades from 1968-96. Unlike the majority of stadiums on this list, The Astrodome still stands adjacent to Reliant Stadium, which is the current home of the Houston Texans. There has been much debate of late about demolishing the landmark with some wanting it preserved for historical reasons as the world's first dome.
Yankee Stadium
Obviously more well known for baseball, "The House that Ruth Built" hosted its last game of any kind this September. Football-wise, Yankee Stadium was the site of the 1958 NFL Championship Game, which is referred to many as simply "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Led by Johnny Unitas, the Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants, 23-17, in overtime.
Yankee Stadium's hallowed grounds also welcomed Red Grange in the 1920s while serving as the Giants' home field from 1956-73.
Memorial Stadium
Speaking of Unitas and the Colts, this neighborhood-based stadium served as the backdrop for many of the most memorable NFL games of the 1950s and 1960s. It also housed the Baltimore Orioles until Camden Yards opened in 1992.
The enthusiasm of the Colts fans led many to refer to Memorial Stadium as "The World's Largest Outdoor Insane Asylum." Perhaps its most famous football game was the 1959 NFL Championship Game in which Baltimore defeated the Giants, 31-16, behind 24 fourth-quarter points.
Memorial Stadium was demolished in 2001.
RFK Stadium
Although still up and running, RFK hasn't called the Washington Redskins residents since 1996. No matter, few stadiums left a more indelible image in the minds of football fans as RFK was often seen on television literally shaking and bouncing during Redskins games.
Originally opened in 1961, the stadium was renamed in honor of Robert Kennedy, the former Attorney General and U.S. Senator who was assassinated in 1968.
The stadium hosted many a memorable affair between the Redskins and Cowboys as well as three NFC Championship Games. However, its most replayed moment is of Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacking, breaking the leg and ending the career of Washington quarterback Joe Theismann on Monday Night Football on Nov. 18, 1985.
JFK Stadium
In the first year of the stadium formerly known as Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, 1926, more than 120,000 fans jammed in for a boxing match that saw Gene Tunney defeat Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight championship title.
The Philadelphia Eagles originally played here from 1936-39 before moving across the city to Shibe Park. (The Eagles remained at Shibe through 1957). The Army-Navy game was also played at what became JFK Stadium in 1964 from 1964-79.
The 1926 Philadelphia Quakers of the AFL and the Philadelphia Bell (1974-75) of the equally short-lived WFL also played in this massive structure that was demolished in 1992. Also in Philly was Veterans Stadium.
Orange Bowl
The home of the Miami Dolphins for 21 seasons from 1966-86, this somewhat run-down stadium witnessed several iconic NFL games, including five Super Bowls. Alas, for Cowboys fans, Dallas lost each of the franchise's three Super Bowls (V, X, XIII) at the Orange Bowl. And each game was more than winnable, with the Cowboys losing the three by a combined 11 points.
The Orange Bowl, which closed its doors earlier this year and was then demolished, also hosted the 1975 Pro Bowl as well as two of the more memorable college games of all-time, the 1984 Orange Bowl that saw Miami stun previously unbeaten Nebraska when the latter went for two rather than take the tie in the final seconds, and the Doug Flutie Hail Mary pass the day after Thanksgiving that same year.
-Photo by Miami Dolphins
Three Rivers Stadium
For 31 years, this multi-purpose stadium served as the home base for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates. And while the latter saw some success, this stretch witnessed the Steelers win four Super Bowls as Pittsburgh posted an impressive 182-72 home mark, including a 13-5 record in the postseason.
Three Rivers hosted seven AFC title tilts with the Steelers winning five. But without a doubt, the most famous game there was "The Immaculate Reception" on Dec. 23, 1972, in which Franco Harris scored the game-winning touchdown off a deflected pass. NFL Films selected the play as the greatest in NFL history.
Municipal Stadium
For 50 glorious seasons, the Cleveland Browns called this massive domain their home base. The likes of Jim Brown and Otto Graham helped the Browns host nine AAFC and NFL Championship Games, but while Cleveland was the league's first dynasty, this old venue is most fondly remembered in football circles for both the Dawg Pound and John Elway's Drive in the 1987 AFC title tilt.
Metropolitan Stadium
"The Old Met" served as the home field of the Minnesota Vikings for 21 seasons from 1961-81, and in the process, offered Dallas Cowboys fans one of their fondest memories with the original Hail Mary via Roger Staubach in the 1975 playoffs.
Mile High Stadium
For 41 seasons, from 1960-2000, the Denver Broncos played their home contests at Mile High Stadium. The venue was closed in 2001 and demolished the following January.
-Photo by Mile High
Located nearly 5,300 feet above sea level, the site served as the city's dump before the land was offered to anyone willing to build a stadium for $1. Yes, as in one dollar. And thus, one of the loudest stadiums in sports history was constructed. In fact, before closing its doors, the crowd at Mile High set a world record for the loudest sustained decimal level over a span of 10 seconds.
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