It’s the dead of the offseason, so we’re firing up the flux capacitor in order to review some of the highlights, lowlights and quirks from the NFL history books. Today, some facts that interest us — and possibly you — about the history of NFL stadiums.
Wrigley Field hosted 193 NFL games over a 31-year span. The Chicago Bears played there between 1940 and 1970 before moving to Soldier Field.
The New York Giants also played at Yankee Stadium for 29 years. They moved out in 1974.
And Fenway Park has hosted 64 NFL games. The Boston Yanks played there between 1944 and 1948 and the Patriots called Fenway home between 1963 and 1968.
The first pro football game played in a dome? Kansas City Chiefs 26, Houston Oilers 21. Sept. 9, 1968 at the Astrodome.
Team that has never had a dome that has played more games in domes than any other team that has never had a dome? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have played 111 games in domes, thanks mainly to being in a division with Atlanta and New Orleans.
Giants Stadium hosted a record 492 regular-season and playoff games. Soldier Field has hosted 395.
The Cleveland Browns are 50-86 at their home venue, FirstEnergy Stadium. They, the Detroit Lions (49-63 at Ford Field) and the Washington Redskins (76-78-1 at FedEx Field) are the only teams that have lost more than they’ve won in their current stadiums.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum just became the league’s largest stadium (93,607). That was also the case when the Raiders called it home between 1982 and 1994.
Oakland Alameda Coliseum is the league’s smallest stadium (56,057). It’s also the oldest permanent NFL stadium that hasn’t gone through massive renovations. It turns 50 this year. It won’t likely live to see 55.
In 14 years at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots have lost 17 regular-season games. Think about that…
