When RFK was home base between 1961 and 1996, the Redskins made sports history many times over — including five trips to the Super Bowl and three victories. WTOP's sports director, George Wallace, revisits some of the greatest moments in team history at RFK.
The new District of Columbia Stadium, as it was then known, seen in September 28, 1961 — three days before the Redskins first game in the stadium against the New York Giants. When the state-of-the-art stadium opened, it boasted more than 2,100 floodlights and 50,000 seating capacity for football. The stadium was one of the first-of-its-kind multiuse stadiums and it also served as the home stadium for the Washington Senators baseball team between 1962 and 1971.
(AP Photo/William J. Smith)
AP Photo/William J. Smith
Coach George Allen brought he stadium its first-ever playoff game, a Christmas Eve 1972 win over the Green Bay Packer and followed it u the next week with a New Year’s Eve win over the Dallas Cowboys, earning a berth in the 1973 Super Bowl. In this AP photo, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach rears back to pass 22 yards to Ron Sellers (88) on a third down play late in the second quarter. Ron McDole, a defensive end for the Redskins (79) leaps high to early to block the pass during the National Football Conference Championship Game in Washington.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Redskins head coach George Allen is carried from the field by his player after they beat the Dallas cowboys 26-3 in the National Football Conference Championship game, Dec. 31, 1972 in Washington. Before Allen was carried across the field a fan, left, reached up and snatched his cap.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
The Redskins faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional round of the playoffs on January 15, 1983. Redskins running back John Riggins (44) gave a dominating performance, put the team on his back rushing for 185 yards on 37 carries. As he came toward the field toward the end of the game, he stopped for a bow before the cheering fans. Riggins is shown in this 1983 AP photo. Also shown is Redskins Joe Jacoby (66), Vikings Scott Studwell (55) and Fred McNeill (54).
(AP Photo/Ira Schwarz)
AP Photo/Ira Schwarz
Washington Redskins John Riggins (44) takes to flying as he carries the ball in NFC playoff action against the Minnesota Vikings in Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 15, 1983. Vikings John Swain (29) is on ground.
(AP Photo/Ira Schwarz)
AP Photo/Ira Schwarz
Washington Redskins fans produce a sign pointing to their Super Bowl hopes during NFC playoff action against the Minnesota Vikings in Washington, Jan. 15, 1983.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
This jubilant Redskins’ fan shares his thoughts on the upcoming visit by the Dallas Cowboys to RFK, Jan. 17, 1983, for the NFC championship game, where the Redskins will seek revenge for their only defeat of the year dealt to them at RFK by the Cowboys. Redskins defeated the Minnesota Vikings 21-7. As the Redskins were putting the finishing touches on a 21-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, the fans started the chants of “We want Dallas.”
(AP Photo/Porter Binks)
AP Photo/Porter Binks
Happy Washington Redskins congratulate Charlie Brown (87) after he scored the Skins first touchdown from a pass by Joe Theismann in first quarter action at RFK Stadium in Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 1983, against the Dallas Cowboys. Rick Walter (88) and Don Warren (85) are shown.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
In this AP photo, Washington Redskins defensive tackle Darryl Grant catches a deflected Dallas Cowboys Gary Hogeboom pass and high steps it into the end zone in Washington, on Jan. 24, 1983. The chants of “We want Dallas!” began during warmups and didn’t let up throughout the game. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 31-17 to become the NFC champions and advanced to the Super Bowl where they faced the Miami Dolphins. .
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is in the crush with members of his team after they beat the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC Championship at RFK Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 22, 1983, Washington, D.C.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Washington Redskins fans carry a piece of the goal post off the field after their team defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-17 for the NFC championship in Washington, earning a trip to the Super Bowl, Jan. 22, 1983.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
One of the very few, not-so-bright moments at the stadium came on Nov. 18, 1985 in front of a National Television audience on Monday Night Football. New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacked Redskins quarterback Joe Theisman severely breaking his leg and ending his career. Backup quarterback Jay Schroeder came in and led the Redskins to a 23-21 win.
(AP Photo)
The Redskins’ path to the 1988 Super Bowl again came down to a faceoff against the Minnesota Vikings. 1988 AP photo, Vikings Quarterback Wade Wilson, third from left, is brought down after running from the pocket by Washington Redskins Safety Clarence Vaughn, second from left, during first quarter championship game action at RFK Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 17, 1988, Washington, D.C.
(AP Photo/Scott Stewart)
AP Photo/Scott Stewart
In this AP photo, Washington Redskins defensive tackle Dave Butz (65) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson during second quarter NFC Championship game action, Sunday, Jan. 17, 1988 at RFK Stadium in Washington. Redskins Dexter Manley (72) celebrates the sack.
(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
AP Photo/Ron Edmonds
The Redskins put together a juggernaut of a team in 1991 and locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs pretty early. In the Divisional round on Jan. 4, 1992 they hosted the Falcons. The weather was rainy and windy, perfect Hogs weather. In this 1992 AP photo, Redskins fans cheer in the rain during NFL Divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Redskins won 24-7.
(AP Photo/Doug Mills)
AP Photo/Doug Mills
Video of the famous “seat cushion moment.” Late in the game, after Gerald Riggs sealed the 24-7 win with a touchdown, the fans began to shower the field with the free yellow seat cushions that were given away that day. That was one of the all-time greatest scenes at RFK.
(AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Art Monk is hoisted by his teammates after breaking the record for career receptions in the fourth quarter of their game against the Denver Broncos at RFK Stadium in Washington, Oct. 12, 1992.
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Washington Redskins wide receiver Art Monk leaves the field after Redskins 34-3 victory over the Denver Broncos at RFK Stadium in Washington, Oct. 12, 1992. Monk broke the record for career receptions in the fourth quarter when he caught his 820th pass.
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
The Redskins faced off against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 22, 1996 — the team’s last game at RFK Stadium, which had been home base for the past 35 years. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 37-7.
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Redskins fan antics in the stands at the Dec. 22 1996 game against the Cowboys — the Redskins last game at RFK Stadium.
(Doug Pensinger /Allsport)
Doug Pensinger /Allsport
Washington Redskins fans tear up the turf at RFK Stadium in Washington, D. C. after a game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Redskins, playing their last game at RFK, won 37-7.
(Getty Images/Doug Pensinger)
Getty Images/Doug Pensinger
The final “Hail to the Redskins” at RFK stadium sung after the Redskins Dec. 22, 1996 victory over Dallas.
(Getty Images/Doug Pensinger)
RFK's beginnings through the first Super Bowl (George Wallace)
WASHINGTON — For more than three decades, the Redskins called RFK Stadium home.
As home base between 1961 and 1996, the Redskins made sports history many times over at RFK — including five trips to the Super Bowl and three victories.
The Redskins opened the stadium — then known simply as the D.C. Stadium — on Oct. 1, 1961 with a 24-21 loss to the New York Giants in front of 36,767 fans. In fact, the team didn’t get its first win at home until Dec. 17, the final weekend of the regular season, against the Dallas Cowboys. The Redskins went 1-12-1 that season.
The years that followed brought many games and memories that Redskins fans won’t soon forget.
Everyone that has ever been to RFK Stadium seems to have a favorite story about when they realized just how special that place was.
The old stadium hooked me from day one. I first stepped foot in RFK in August 1985 for a Redskins preseason game against the New England Patriots. I remember noticing just how loud it was, especially being a preseason game.
In some cases, fans that attended games in August didn’t necessarily get a chance to see a regular season game since the waiting list had over 40,000 people on it. I was one of those, so I treated a summer night just as I would a game in December against Dallas. The thing that stood out to me was the roller coaster roof. I remember just being in awe of the place and soaked up every minute.
As a die-hard Redskins fan growing up, there was nothing more I wanted than to be able to go to RFK every week to somehow watch my favorite team. Well, as a 12-year old I got that chance. My father managed two concession stands in section 538 and when I was old enough, I began working there. Talk about a dream come true.
I was fortunate enough to work there until 2001. I saw the 1991 Super Bowl season unfold, the end of the Joe Gibbs era and the end of the Redskins era at RFK. In addition to football, I saw pretty much every concert that came through the doors during that time, as well. I still attend every Redskins home game, but now as a member of the media and that experience doesn’t come close to the experience I had behind Stand 54 in section 538 at RFK.
Like many, my time there is a time I will always cherish and not soon forget.
Host of CBS' The NFL Today and DC native James Brown's favorite RFK memory
The early days
One of the great early memories of the stadium came in November of 1966, the Redskins beat the Giants 72-41. The 113 combined points are still the most ever scored in an NFL game.
George Allen brought the stadium its first ever playoff game, a Christmas Eve 1972 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round. They then followed it up the next week with a 26-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game to earn a berth in the 1973 Super Bowl.
Allen’s final game with the Redskins was a 17-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 17, 1977.
After a few lean years, things began to pick up with the arrival of Joe Gibbs in 1981. He got his first win at RFK on Oct. 25, 1981 in a 24-22 win over the New England Patriots.
The years that followed provided some of the greatest moments in team history — and they happened at RFK.
The day the Redskins, fans rocked Cowboys (George Wallace)
‘We want Dallas’
When you talk to people about their most vivid memories of RFK, those three chanted words — We want Dallas! — are usually the first thing out of people’s mouths.
Here’s the back story. In 1982, the Redskins had lost only one game — and it was to Dallas.
Before they got a chance to play Dallas again that season, the Redskins had to get by the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Jan. 15, 1983. They did just that, thanks to a dominating performance from running back John Riggins. He put the team on his back rushing for 185 yards on 37 carries. As he came off the field toward the end of the game, and the crowd showed its appreciation, Riggins stopped before getting to the sideline and took a bow for the fans.
As the Redskins were putting the finishing touches on a 21-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, the fans started the chants: “We want Dallas!”
Former Redskins great and original Hog Joe Jacoby remembers it well.
“Seeing the lower level seats you thought it was just the people moving,” he said. “But it was the whole stands moving.”
The players also wanted another shot at Dallas for the right to go to the Super Bowl, and they got it a week later.
Jan. 22, 1983 might just be the greatest moment in the stadium’s history.
The chant of “We Want Dallas!” began during pregame warmups and didn’t stop. The Redskins went on to dominate Dallas as Dexter Manley ended up knocking Cowboys quarterback Danny White out of the game. The Redskins punctuated the game with a Darryl Grant interception returned for a touchdown as they were off to Pasadena and the 1983 Super Bowl.
“This is 30-some years after the game and its such a vivid, vivid memory of what happened,” Jacoby said.
One of the very few, not-so-bright moments at the stadium came on Nov. 18, 1985 in front of a National Television audience on Monday Night Football. New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacked Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann severely breaking his leg and ending his career. Backup quarterback Jay Schroeder came in and led the Redskins to a 23-21 win.
On Jan. 17, 1988, the Redskins beat the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl XXII in a game that came down to one play. Cornerback Darrell Green knocked down a Wade Wilson pass at the goal line to clinch the victory.
The Redskins put together a juggernaut of a team in 1991 and locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs pretty early. In the Divisional Round on Jan. 4, 1992 they hosted the Falcons. The weather was rainy and windy, perfect Hogs weather.
Late in the game, after Gerald Riggs sealed the 24-7 win with a touchdown, the fans began to shower the field with the free yellow seat cushions that were given away that day. That was one of the all-time greatest scenes at RFK.
The next week, the Redskins dismantled the Detroit Lions, 41-10, in the NFC Championship Game and advanced to Super Bowl XXVI. This was the final NFC Championship Game played at RFK. In all, the stadium hosted five NFC Championship games, with the Redskins winning them all.
On Oct. 12, 1992, Art Monk broke Steve Largent’s record and became the NFL’s all-time leading receiver with his 820th reception. The Redskins beat the Broncos 34-3.
The Redskins closed out their time in the stadium with a 37-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 22, 1996. At halftime, several past Redskins greats were introduced while wearing replicas of the jerseys they wore during their playing days. After the game, fans stormed the field and ripped up chunks of grass as souvenirs. Fans were savoring their final moments with RFK and nobody wanted to leave.
The memories that the players, coaches and fans have from the old stadium will last a lifetime.
