RFK Stadium is torn down: Best memories from Washington's former home

A big part of Washington's NFL history is gone.

Well, little by little, section by section, that is. RFK Stadium, the former home of the three-time Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins, is slowly being torn down. A massive demolition/destruction was frowned upon, citing environmental concerns. So instead of a giant wrecking ball being used on RFK, the city is concerned about dust and the environmental health of residents. Thus, it will take well into 2026 before the stadium is fully down and gone.

The former tenants, the Washington Redskins, won many a game at RFK. My first memories of the Redskins playing in that stadium date back to the 1969 season. It was Sam Huff's final year, after he had come out of retirement to play one season for Vince Lombardi. Huff had retired and was out of the NFL for the 1968 season, when suddenly word came that the Redskins had hired Vince Lombardi.

That's where my Redskins memories begin: the 1969 season. I recall hearing about Bobby Mitchell often in my childhood, learning that his last NFL season, playing home games at RFK, was the 1968 season. The 1969 team featured Sonny Jurgensen, Charley Taylor, Larry Brown, Charley Harraway, Jerry Smith, Sam Huff, Chris Hanburger, Mike Bass, Brig Owens, Pat Fischer and Len Hauss.

Four Redskins played their home games at RFK and had their jersey retired by the current franchise. Sammy Baugh played in the old Griffith Stadium, and Sean Taylor played his home games at FedEx Field. Those whose home field was RFK, whose jerseys are now retired, are Sonny Jurgensen (9), Darrell Green (28), Bobby Mitchell (49), and Art Monk (81).

Griffith Stadium was home for the Redskins from 1937 to 1960. Then came District of Columbia Stadium. That's right, the stadium was not named RFK initially. So, from 1961 to 1968, that was the home stadium for the Redskins. Senator Robert Kennedy was assassinated and died in 1968. So, in 1969, the stadium was renamed to honor the deceased US Senator. The stadium was named the Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium. Understandably, fans and media began to quickly refer to the stadium as simply "RFK".

But Lombardi would only coach there during the 1969 season, leading the Redskins to their first winning record since 1955. Lombardi was stricken with cancer and died just prior to the beginning of the 1970 season. Bill Austin became the head coach, but after a 6-8 season, a new search began, and George Allen was chosen, bringing his winning ways to Washington.

Allen brought energy and excitement to the DMV, turning RFK into a frenzy and hysteria, especially during "Dallas Week," a phrase he coined early. The Redskins became a force under Allen, making the playoffs in his first four seasons. RFK was electric on New Year's Eve 1972 when Allen's Redskins crushed and trounced the Dallas Cowboys in the 1972 NFC Championship Game.

Speaking of NFC Championship games, Joe Gibbs brought four of those to RFK, as the Redskins won all four NFC title games in RFK to head to Super Bowls (XVII, XVIII, XXII, XXVI). It was during the 1982 championship game against Dallas that Frank Herzog, broadcasting the radio play-by-play, said, "And now the stadium shakes."

In the 1987 NFC Championship game, the Minnesota Vikings drove down the field trailing the Redskins 17-10 and faced a 4th down at the Washington 6 in the final minute. Joe Gibbs was spotted on the sidelines, on both knees, watching helplessly. When the Redskins held on to win the game, Gibbs, following the game, said he had actually begun to feel ill, which was substantiated by how pale he suddenly appeared to be.

There were some absolutely thrilling Monday Night games at RFK. I will never forget Safety Brig Owens' pick-six in the 4th quarter, putting the Redskins in front of the Cowboys 14-7 in 1973. Dallas then drove the field only to have the other Redskins' safety make the huge saving play, when Ken Houston hung on, keeping fullback Walt Garrison short of the goal line.

In 1976, it poured and poured rain; the MNF audience watched perhaps the worst rain-soaked field in MNF history. The Redskins were facing the divisional rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. Who could ever forget Eddie Brown's tremendous punt return touchdown, helping the Redskins win 20-10?

President Jimmy Carter attended a MNF clash in 1978 that saw the Redskins defeat the Cowboys in a defensive struggle, 9-5. Joe Theismann celebrating, instead of simply taking the safety at the end, is something fans of both teams have always remembered. On a Monday Night Football game in 1985, RFK was the site where Theismann's career was suddenly concluded, when he was sacked by Lawrence Taylor (NY Giants), suffering a compound fracture of his fibula and tibia.

An RFK MNF game in 1992 is probably still remembered by many Washington fans. On that night, receiver Art Monk caught seven passes, becoming the leading receiver in receptions in NFL history. Redskins fans showed their loyalty and appreciation by honoring Monk that night.

The final Redskins game at RFK was the season finale of 1996. Fans, realizing it was the end of an era, were so vocal throughout the game as Washington beat Dallas 37-10. Gibbs and Allen were long gone. Norv Turner was then the head coach. And Gus Frerotte was the starting quarterback. It was symbolic as the team was moving from the era of RFK Redskins football.

RFK is very slowly going down. It will supposedly be well into 2026 before the Commanders can begin breaking ground on the new stadium. But the one thing that can't be taken from many of us is the stirring, enduring memories we still have of the Redskins and RFK.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Memories from the old RFK Stadium