WHAT’S NEXT?

Jan. 31: Texas Stadium lease terminates

March 31: Irving takes over stadium

Early 2010: Demolition

REDEVELOPMENT

Forest City Enterprises has plans to develop the area into a transit-oriented community. A new DART Light Rail station will be added and will connect the site with the DART Orange Rail Line, which is schedule to be completed in December 2011.

ForestCity is proposing retail and entertainment space, office buildings, a new entry-way for the University of Dallas, a civic center, residential properties and recreation centers.

REMEMBERING

Texas Stadium memorabilia will be sold following the end of football season. The city will receive a percentage of the gross proceeds from the sale of items such as stadium seats, turf, signage and lockers. More than 3,000 items will be available for purchase.

THE LOSS

According to a 2004 report by Turnkey Sports, Texas Stadium and its events had a $20 million impact on the Irving economy annually.

1. Special section

In case you missed Sunday's "Texas Stadium, 1971-2008" section in The Dallas Morning News, here is a link to all the stories online. It's another incredible job by one of the best sports departments in the country. (I love the online space, but this is one case where the stories, photos, graphics and illustrations actually work better in print. And if you don't think you have the time, make the time to at least read the "first-person" account, compiled by Brad Townsend.)

This memory was posted by Sandy Lauder. Share your own Texas Stadium memories and photos before it's too late!

For the past 15 years we've left our family at home to fend for themselves on Thanksgiving while we taligated with our football friends at Texas Stadium in Irving. 

It's no ordinary fast food tailgate; it’s the real McCoy, with rented tables and chairs, linens, silverware, china and crystal. Just like at home, except it's in the Cowboys parking lot.

Unfortunately this tradition has come to an end as the ’boys are moving to Arlington and none of us can afford to buy season tickets there. 

Through hot or cold, rain or dry, win or lose, it was great while it lasted. Thanks for the memories.

I was 7-years-old and for one of the few times in my life, we had our fireplace running on Thanksgiving Day. In the Murphree household, that doesn't happen often.
My family is not the biggest NFL fans, but we do like to watch a good game, and it isn't often we get to see the Cowboys struggling in winter weather while playing in Dallas.
As a little preface, it was sleeting and around 28 degrees and the Cowboys had a 14-13 lead against Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins.
What happened next possibly became the biggest bonehead play in the past 20 years.
Jimmie Jones blocked a 47-yard fieldgoal attempt by the Dolphins who were also struggling in the Texas-style Arctic conditions.
The ball rolled gingerly toward the Cowboys endzone... The play was dead, just let the ball stop moving, tackle the Dolphin who may be there to recover, just don't pounce on the ball. In fact, a simple rule of thumb. When 10 people tell you not to touch something - don't touch it.
Leon Lett did not get the memo.
He waddled through the accumulating Irving Outdoor Hockey Arena only to boot the ball the the Cowboys' 1-yard line. Miami recovered, kicked a 19-yard fieldgoal with three seconds left and my family went on to eat our turkey, green bean Caesar and spinach Madeline with vacant stares and looks of confusion on our faces.

Here is a link to a video of the whole ordeal. The looks of confusion on everyone's face being interviewed are classic.

This story was posted by Jen Welter, linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds women's football team. Have your own Texas Stadium story? Post it on neighborsgo.com under the Irving community, and look for it here and in print in the coming weeks.

There is something truly magical about playing football in Texas Stadium. Maybe it’s the tradition, maybe it’s the games that have been played there, or maybe it’s knowing who has played there. Whatever it is, it just feels bigger to play in Texas Stadium. 

In the eight years I have played professional football, I have played many games, in many stadiums. However, the game we played in Texas Stadium is one of my best memories. 

I am not a player who usually gets nervous, but when I walked out onto the field in Texas Stadium and saw the stars on the wall and in the center of the field, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe I was going to play a game in Texas Stadium … THE Texas Stadium, and that we, the Diamonds, were some of the first girls to play football here.

During the entire National Anthem, I was in awe. Until I made my first tackle, I was so nervous. With one hit, I realized football was football – in any stadium. 

We were playing Long Beach. And while they had some very talented athletes, they were just no match for Dallas. It was truly our day. We dominated on both sides of the ball and did Texas Stadium justice. 

I will never forget that day.  I had two interceptions. I thought I might have an opportunity to run back with the first one. I was far out, but I could see the endzone. I thought I could make it; what I didn’t see was the outstretched arm of a big offensive lineman who seemed to snatch me right out of the arm, causing me to land hard on the turf. The second interception was in traffic; it was an ugly catch, but it was still an interception.

In the end, it was one of the best games I have ever played, and I was named the defensive MVP for the game. 

I’m sorry that I will never get another chance to play on that field, but then again there is nothing like the first time. 

Jen Welter is a linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds women’s football team.

This was posted by Vicki Woodlee, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader in 1973-74. 

262 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Alumni took the field at Texas Stadium along with the current squad for the "Farewell to Texas Stadium" performance during the Cowboys vs Bengals football game.    It was an incredible experience!  Each decade danced to the music and style that was popular when they cheered.  For me and my squad, we performed some serious dance moves to "Shake Your Groove Thing", "Le Freak" by Chic and Donna Summer's "Last Dance".  It was an awesome sight to see the entire field covered with past and present Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  The entire half-time performance can be seen at the cheerleader's web site:  www.dallascowboyscheerleaders.com  Then go to Gallery/video/Gameday/Cowboys vs Bengals Half-time.

I went to a couple of games in the mid-80s (read: losing seasons). I remember the players who filled the stadium: Danny White, Randy "The Manster" White, Tony Dorsett, Bill Bates, Ed "Too-Tall" Jones, Jim Jeffcoat, Mark Tuinei and, of course, the man in the hat, Tom Landry. If I remember correctly, the then-Phoenix Cardinals were the opponent both times. Gotta dig old-school rivals. 

I also remember annual Scout Shows at Texas Stadium. My Cub Scout pack had a booth with silly games like "cow-patty" tossing. I remember staring in awe at the older Scouts rappelling down the side of the stadium. It was awesome!