This morning at sunrise, Texas Stadium was imploded. I did not go watch it happen and I have not yet turned on the TV today for fear of catching the coverage on the local news. But living in Dallas, I know I’ll see the coverage at some point or I’ll simply notice the rubble as I drive down highway 114.
I have so many fond memories of the stadium, it’s just hard to see it go.
When I was a little girl, all I wanted to be when I grew up was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Once I was old enough to audition, I made my way to Texas Stadium for try-outs, which were held in the Stadium Club. I had no formal dance experience but was a cheerleader and loved to dance with my friends so I figured I had a shot. There were tons of beautiful girls at the audition, many of them with killer legs and long flowing hair. But that didn’t discourage me as I had a dream to fulfill. When my group was called to the stage, I introduced myself with a clear energetic voice and a huge smile. But then they started the music for us to freestyle dance to and I immediately froze. Fear struck and I didn’t know what to do, so I just swayed a little to the music feeling like a fool. It was like an alien had suddenly taken over my body. It was no surprise my name was not on the call-back list, although I did check the list just to see if they liked me for my smile and enthusiastic attitude.
When I was in high school, our football team was really good. We always made playoffs. When the Marcus vs. Lewisville games became too big to be played at our shared stadium, they moved the games to Texas Stadium. Those games were always special, not only because we were playing our biggest rivals, but because we were playing at the home of the current Super Bowl champions, so the atmosphere of the stadium just made it amazing. I also attended many of our high school playoff games at the stadium.
When I was in college, I worked at Texas Stadium in the sales & catering department. It was a great time to work there as the Cowboys had just won three recent Super Bowls (1992, 1993, & 1995) and the team was hot. Working at Texas Stadium was a blast. Everyone I worked with had a passion for the team so they were fun to work with and like me, had a spring in their step just being there. Every time I arrived at the stadium to work, I could feel the energy, and it was empowering. It put a smile on my face each and every time I was there. Working at Texas Stadium was one of the best jobs I’ve had. I loved the energy of the stadium, even when the stadium was empty – I could still hear the whistles from the refs, the players congratulating each other, the fans cheering on their favorite team. I also made many great friends working there.
And then there were the games. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend several games, both in the stands 
and in the suite of the company I currently work for. But of all the games I attended, the last one was bitter-sweet. I was there for the final home game at Texas Stadium (December 20, 2008). I honestly didn’t watch all of the game. As I sat in the company suite, I just sat looking out the windows, trying to capture to memory all the little things that made the stadium so great. The star in the middle of the field. The names on the Ring of Honor. The individual light bulbs in the scoreboard. The uncomfortable navy blue seats I’ve sat in so many times. The smell in the air. The teams lined up on the sides, the cheerleaders kicking their boots towards the sky, and all the loyal fans with their painted faces, blue and silver wigs, wearing jerseys from the best players from years past. The tunnel the players exited to – the tunnel where I once officed across the hall from the player’s locker room. I remembered all the great times I had at the stadium when I was in high school, the fun times I had while working there, I even laughed to myself as I glanced across to the windows of the stadium club, remembering my failed cheerleader tryout attempt. And I had one final chance to look up towards God from inside the stadium through that famous hole in the roof. After the game ended and the ceremony closed with a final video to say goodbye, it was Tom Landry who was shown turning off the lights.
Reflecting on the past makes me realize that I have many great memories of Texas Stadium. While the stadium now sits in a pile of rubble, I recognize that I will still have the friends and the memories of great times past.
Thank you Texas Stadium for the many memories and smiles you brought me.
