Posted November 9, 200717 yr As pregame tradition dictates, a cannon will boom and white smoke will pour from a tunnel leading out of the locker room. The Miami Hurricanes will emerge and run east into the night, traipsing across ground where John F. Kennedy spoke, Joe Namath made good on his Super Bowl guarantee and the Miami Dolphins were perfect. A rusty old building, nothing but steel and concrete and ghosts, will shake in delight. And an era will end. For 70 years, the Hurricanes called this place home. The Orange Bowl, now an exquisite eyesore, hosted everything from Super Bowls to the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, from Hollywood movies to hurricane evacuees. And, by the way, some of the finest college football games were played there, including 11 that decided national championships. On Saturday night, the Hurricanes will play there for the 468th time. The final time. "I guess the old girl had to be retired at some point, since we couldn't get enough money to get her built up the right way," said Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp, a 1994 All-American at Miami. "She goes out the greatest stadium in America, in my mind." At the beginning, she was. Billed at its opening as "the largest and most modern steel stadium in the nation," the Orange Bowl -- or Roddy Burdine Stadium, as it was originally known, a nod to the department store magnate who got it built -- was beyond compare. "A beautiful structure without peer in beauty and adaptability," wrote Jack Bell in the Miami Daily News on Dec. 10, 1937, the night the place was dedicated. Times change. The Orange Bowl's best days were decades ago. More than a few seats are falling apart. The scoreboard is as modern as bellbottoms. It's not uncommon to see something fall off the structure during games. Some visitors make the sign of the cross as they enter the elevators. There's drips from the ceilings, rust on all corners, puddles in the concourses and evidence of decay almost everywhere. http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10458415 I know the other threads in the stadium area mentions this but it is from the perspective hope for the marlins. Here I figured a thread to remember the old girl that has been a part of Miami tradition for the past 80 years. Be it from high school games that drew 40,000+ people often to seeing Super Bowls won. Watching presidents speak and boxers fight and you name it in terms of sports. I will never forget sitting in the stands as the metal rumbled from the sounds of a packed House Stomping their Feet. The Echoes railing against the night as the Dolphins or even Canes ran up amazing games before a packaged house. The Roar that would deaden the opponents and force them to lose their own confidence. I know it is just some steel and concrete. I know that the paint is cracked and it is falling apart. I know that it is even her time to go. But, I cant stop loving every moment that I spent growing up watching some of the greatest sporting events of my lifetime take place Thank you Orange Bowl, I am one fan that will never forget you. :notworthy
November 9, 200717 yr was out on the field this morning.... they have new logos on each 20 ran a few patterns out there... but no ball to be thrown.... I probably just looked retarded it was worth it
November 9, 200717 yr I saw some classic games in the OB. But I won't miss the 45 minute wait to go take a piss or the "no blocking" vendors that charge you an arm and a leg for parking.
November 9, 200717 yr I'll be there to say goodbye tomorrow. It's time, but it's going to be a great time. Let's hope it goes out in fitting fashion. Where is Gameday tomorrow?
November 9, 200717 yr I'll be there to say goodbye tomorrow. It's time, but it's going to be a great time. Let's hope it goes out in fitting fashion. Where is Gameday tomorrow? Williams College
November 9, 200717 yr Even with all the classic FSU-Miami games I've seen in the OB, I don't think any of them top the 1993 National Championship game. Talk about a crazyass ending. We had already started celebrating in the stands and then bam...the refs put 1 second back on the clock, giving Nebraska a chance to win the game with a field goal. Thank the Lord that he missed.
November 9, 200717 yr Um, why? They try to go to a game nobody cares about once a year. This is that. I think its the 2nd most played game behind Harvard-Yale, and more than enough people dont care for it to fit the description.
November 9, 200717 yr Bah. It should be at the last game in the OB. They definitely would do it that way if it was the last game in the Swamp or some other big stadium.
November 9, 200717 yr I would've liked to have visited the OB, but dont have tix for tomorrow. Hopefully, Ill get to see the Marlins "there"
November 9, 200717 yr I'll be there to say goodbye tomorrow. It's time, but it's going to be a great time. Let's hope it goes out in fitting fashion. Where is Gameday tomorrow? Williams College I thought you guys were kidding, but its true. Messed up
November 9, 200717 yr Yea its gonna be sad to see her go... I remember going to the Yankee-orioles spring training games when i was a kid.... Going to Dolphin games and seeing #13 firing darts at Clayton and Duper... Its gonna be sad, but it might just save the Marlins...
November 9, 200717 yr Bah. It should be at the last game in the OB. They definitely would do it that way if it was the last game in the Swamp or some other big stadium. They said they considered coming down here for the last UM game at the OB but were worried that they wouldn't draw a big enough crowd for the 11am show.
November 9, 200717 yr Even non Canes fans would go, are you kidding me? Everyone would just wanna be on TV
November 9, 200717 yr YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS a customer just gave me 2 tickets to tommorows game... Do you need both of them or just one? PM me if you only need one
November 9, 200717 yr There are three more games to be played there after this one. You guys should come out and send the OB off right, regardless of who is playing.
November 10, 200717 yr Even non Canes fans would go, are you kidding me? Everyone would just wanna be on TV Highly doubtful. Gameday has come to miami several times, and hardly anyone shows up.
November 10, 200717 yr I'll be there for the last time, tailgating in the North Parking Lot. Lets send off the OB the right way tomorrow!
November 10, 200717 yr Even non Canes fans would go, are you kidding me? Everyone would just wanna be on TV Highly doubtful. Gameday has come to miami several times, and hardly anyone shows up. When? 1941? Everyone was fighting in WWII back then
November 10, 200717 yr Even non Canes fans would go, are you kidding me? Everyone would just wanna be on TV Highly doubtful. Gameday has come to miami several times, and hardly anyone shows up. When? 1941? Everyone was fighting in WWII back then Worst? Joke? Ever?
November 11, 200717 yr Way to say goodbye. Shutout so far. In front of a sellout crowd. Way to build a fanbase
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