Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40

Attached Thumbnails · 08-03-2015, 07:30 AM

On Monday, the Superdome celebrates 40 years as a major feature of New Orleans’ skyline. It remains a stadium unlike any other, but when it was opened 40 years ago, the Dome was unsurpassed.

"Many of the domed stadiums that came after the Superdome - the Metrodome, Silverdome, Kingdome - they are all gone now," said Doug Thornton, vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The stadium began as the brainchild of David Dixon, a businessman and sports executive who played a key role in the formation of the New Orleans Saints.

Dixon was allegedly told by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle that the NFL would not expand to New Orleans without an indoor, domed stadium. After winning the support of Louisiana governor John McKeithen, the idea for a ‘Superdome' was born. Legislation to build the Superdome was passed in 1966. It passed by the largest margin in Louisiana's history.

Following numerous delays, construction crews broke ground on the project August 12, 1971. After nearly four years, the Superdome opened its doors on August 3, 1975.

When the dome opened, Bob Hope entertained. And between then and now, there have been countless events that have made the city and the stadium inseparable.

The Superdome has seen a record seven Super Bowls and five NCAA Men's Final Four. Other notable events include:

Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 photos over 40 years - FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports, Social

Memories. Crashing the gates, climbing in the rafters, sneaking into locker rooms. what a great place to grow up in

foreverfan · 08-03-2015, 08:50 AM

The Superdome still remains Super.

Halo · 08-03-2015, 11:02 AM

IN THE BEGINNING....

SmashMouth · 08-03-2015, 06:15 PM

QBREES9 · 08-03-2015, 11:17 PM

Man, thanks for posting those photo's they're great.

saintsfan1976 · 08-04-2015, 08:39 AM

Bit of history for you. December 1977, I was 18 mos old. My Dad and Grandfather took me into the Dome for my first Saints game.

Tampa Bay got their first win in franchise history against us and Hank Stramm was fired the next day!

K Major · 08-04-2015, 09:27 AM

Awesome post & Happy Birthday to the SD!

QBREES9 · 08-04-2015, 11:27 PM

She looking HOT for 40.

08-03-2015, 07:30 AM	#1
Threaded by hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68 Rating: (0 votes - average) On Monday, the Superdome celebrates 40 years as a major feature of New Orleans’ skyline. It remains a stadium unlike any other, but when it was opened 40 years ago, the Dome was unsurpassed. "Many of the domed stadiums that came after the Superdome - the Metrodome, Silverdome, Kingdome - they are all gone now," said Doug Thornton, vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The stadium began as the brainchild of David Dixon, a businessman and sports executive who played a key role in the formation of the New Orleans Saints. Dixon was allegedly told by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle that the NFL would not expand to New Orleans without an indoor, domed stadium. After winning the support of Louisiana governor John McKeithen, the idea for a ‘Superdome' was born. Legislation to build the Superdome was passed in 1966. It passed by the largest margin in Louisiana's history. Following numerous delays, construction crews broke ground on the project August 12, 1971. After nearly four years, the Superdome opened its doors on August 3, 1975. When the dome opened, Bob Hope entertained. And between then and now, there have been countless events that have made the city and the stadium inseparable. The Superdome has seen a record seven Super Bowls and five NCAA Men's Final Four. Other notable events include: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 photos over 40 years - FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports, Social Memories. Crashing the gates, climbing in the rafters, sneaking into locker rooms. what a great place to grow up in Attached Thumbnails foreverfan and K Major like this. Last edited by Halo; 08-03-2015 at 10:41 AM..
Views: 1859

08-03-2015, 08:50 AM	#2
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 The Superdome still remains Super. Beastmode and K Major like this.

08-03-2015, 11:02 AM	#3
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,209 Blog Entries: 45	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 IN THE BEGINNING.... saintsfan1976 likes this.

08-03-2015, 06:15 PM	#4
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 36,987 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40

08-03-2015, 11:17 PM	#5
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,982	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 Man, thanks for posting those photo's they're great.

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08-04-2015, 08:39 AM	#6
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,536 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 Bit of history for you. December 1977, I was 18 mos old. My Dad and Grandfather took me into the Dome for my first Saints game. Tampa Bay got their first win in franchise history against us and Hank Stramm was fired the next day! Halo likes this.

08-04-2015, 09:27 AM	#7
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,035 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 Awesome post & Happy Birthday to the SD! Halo likes this.

08-04-2015, 11:27 PM	#8
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,982	Re: Happy birthday to the Superdome: 40 She looking HOT for 40.

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