Goodbye, old friend. Paying tribute to Rich Stadium-Highmark Stadium. Post your memories.

[Logic]

Most of all, I will simply remember the way it FELT to be at the Ralph. There was something bittersweet/nostalgic/beautiful/indescribable about walking to that old stadium, under those big, old lights. The same stadium in which OJ ran wild in behind the Electric Company. The same stadium in which Kelly and Levy brought the Bills back to national prominence. The same building from all those old Bills highlights VHS tapes I wore out, with slow motion and John Fascenda's poetic narration making me fall in love with pro football and the Bills at a young age.

The feeling of walking through the tailgates and parking lots on a sunny fall day, smelling those smells and hearing the "Hey-ay-ay-ay"s ring out and anticipating the game to come, and then standing in the stands for the national anthem -- a moment which has always put a lump in my throat and still does, even to this day -- and feeling the nerves right before kickoff. 

The feeling after a big win, or even after a crushing loss, as you walk back to the car amidst 70,000 friends and family (because if you're a Bills fan, that's what you are to me) and process what just happened. 

All of it will continue on, of course, in a new form, in the new stadium. It will be the same in some ways and different in others. New traditions will be born. Hopefully, we'll see more success, more wins, and some championship banners hung in this new stadium. Things change, and you either change with them or you get left behind. 

Of all the places on planet Earth, the Ralph will always have one of the fondest places in my heart. Every time I was there, the phrase "where else would you rather be, than right here, right now?" was always 100% accurate.

I'll miss the place.

Edited yesterday at 05:55 PM by Logic

[Dillenger4]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

Most of all, I will simply remember the way it FELT to be at the Ralph. There was something bittersweet/nostalgic/beautiful/indescribable about walking to that old stadium, under those big, old lights. The same stadium in which OJ ran wild in behind the Electric Company. The same stadium in which Kelly and Levy brought the Bills back to national prominence. The same building from all those old Bills highlights VHS tapes I wore out, with slow motion and John Fascenda's poetic narration making me fall in love with pro football and the Bills at a young age.

The feeling of walking through the tailgates and parking lots on a sunny fall day, smelling those smells and hearing the "Hey-ay-ay-ay"s ring out and anticipating the game to come, and then standing in the stands for the national anthem -- a moment which has always put a lump in my throat and still does, even to this day -- and feeling the nerves right before kickoff. 

The feeling after a big win, or even after a crushing loss, as you walk back to the car amidst 70,000 friends and family (because if you're a Bills fan, that's what you are to me) and process what just happened. 

All of it will continue on, of course, in a new form, in the new stadium. It will be the same in some ways and different in others. New traditions will be born. Hopefully, we'll see more success, more wins, and some championship banners hung in this new stadium. Things change, and you either change with them or you get left behind. 

Of all the places on planet Earth, the Ralph will always have one of the fondest places in my heart. Every time I was there, the phrase "where else would you rather be, than right here, right now?" was always 100% accurate.

I'll miss the place.

We said three words or less. WTF?!? 

[Dillenger4]

I saw The Grateful Dead there twice, CSN, The Who.

I saw Tasker catch a pass in a playoff game in the endzone for a tuddy vs Miami.

I saw a guy literally pass out on the silver benches in the nose bleeds... then pissed himself while passed out vs The Lions.

I saw many games there where I was having a blast!

I met my wife there as she was a Jill and I winked at her.

I had to piss so bad once at a game, I found an open door and inside was a lobby of elevator doors. I pissed on the floor, shenagled my pants back up with frozen fingers and BOOM - the elevator doors opened. Two security cops: "Going up or down" they asked. Holy sheet....i escaped drunk tank.

I taught my whole section to call Stevie Johnson: "Butterfingers" all game long. We yelled it all day. too funny.

[oldmanfan]

Best memories for me:

 

1.  First ever game, exhibition against the Skins.  Being there for their first game was amazing.

 

2.  Season opener 1974.  Beat the Raiders on Monday night.  Best game I’ve ever seen live.

 

3.  Watching OJ live against the Chiefs on MNF.  To watch him play live was incredible, his later turn into a degenerate murdering scum notwithstanding.

 

4.  Squishing the Fish season opener 1980 finally breaking the streak and helping carry the goal posts to Ralph.

 

5.  My fiancé (now wife of 33 years) getting a Bills helmet face painted her first game there, and my mom being so proud she showed it off to all her friends in the seats around her (her and dad had seasons for over 30 years).  Knew that moment my wife was accepted and loved.

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, oldmanfan said:

Best memories for me:

 

1.  First ever game, exhibition against the Skins.  Being there for their first game was amazing.

 

2.  Season opener 1974.  Beat the Raiders on Monday night.  Best game I’ve ever seen live.

 

3.  Watching OJ live against the Chiefs on MNF.  To watch him play live was incredible, his later turn into a degenerate murdering scum notwithstanding.

 

4.  Squishing the Fish season opener 1980 finally breaking the streak and helping carry the goal posts to Ralph.

 

5.  My fiancé (now wife of 33 years) getting a Bills helmet face painted her first game there, and my mom being so proud she showed it off to all her friends in the seats around her (her and dad had seasons for over 30 years).  Knew that moment my wife was accepted and loved.

33 years?? Whippersnapper.. 😒 🤣 45 for me and the old Ball & Chain

[oldmanfan]

4 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

33 years?? Whippersnapper.. 😒 🤣 45 for me and the old Ball & Chain

I married late!

[zow2]

Well, there was the time maybe 7-8 years ago when I took my young son to a game.  We were sitting in the lower bowl and a sewage pipe burst.  So we walked ankle deep in sh!t to get away from it.  Other than that some great times, I was there when it opened as a little kid.  My grandfather took me and we got the gold commemorative coin vs the Redskins.  I believe it was a preseason game.

[Bills fan since 87]

Gonna miss the ole place.  So many memories

 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:50 PM by Bills fan since 87

[Jerry Jabber]

Going to the Bills/Patriots playoff game with my son. Well worth freezing our butts off to see the Bills destroy the Patriots 47-17.

 

The Metallica concert in 1992. 

[BillsPride12]

5 hours ago, Logic said:

Most of all, I will simply remember the way it FELT to be at the Ralph. There was something bittersweet/nostalgic/beautiful/indescribable about walking to that old stadium, under those big, old lights. The same stadium in which OJ ran wild in behind the Electric Company. The same stadium in which Kelly and Levy brought the Bills back to national prominence. The same building from all those old Bills highlights VHS tapes I wore out, with slow motion and John Fascenda's poetic narration making me fall in love with pro football and the Bills at a young age.

The feeling of walking through the tailgates and parking lots on a sunny fall day, smelling those smells and hearing the "Hey-ay-ay-ay"s ring out and anticipating the game to come, and then standing in the stands for the national anthem -- a moment which has always put a lump in my throat and still does, even to this day -- and feeling the nerves right before kickoff. 

The feeling after a big win, or even after a crushing loss, as you walk back to the car amidst 70,000 friends and family (because if you're a Bills fan, that's what you are to me) and process what just happened. 

All of it will continue on, of course, in a new form, in the new stadium. It will be the same in some ways and different in others. New traditions will be born. Hopefully, we'll see more success, more wins, and some championship banners hung in this new stadium. Things change, and you either change with them or you get left behind. 

Of all the places on planet Earth, the Ralph will always have one of the fondest places in my heart. Every time I was there, the phrase "where else would you rather be, than right here, right now?" was always 100% accurate.

I'll miss the place.

Well said brother.  That was beautiful 

[Billsatlastin2018]

EVERY GAME… SAME MODUS OPERANDI!

* Crossed the border and got the Steaks, etc. at Weggie’s.

* Tailgating beside the Vet hospital by 10a.m.

* Walked the 10 minutes to the Ralph… drinking and checking out the vendors.

* Headed to our Upper Level 50 yard line seats about 8 rows up from the entrance.

* 2 AFC Championships, multiple Playoff games.
Early on, seated beside the Deliverance Boys and I always chose to sit beside his pretty wife.

* And the immortal Comeback Playoff game, where all my seatmates vanished after the Oilers scored early in the 2nd Half. But I, had a Beer to finish AND the KEYS! The rest is history.

 

I tell people today… decades later… if you want to experience the NFL, go to Orchard Park! You won’t believe it.

[cale]

16 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

It got pretty loud when he ran in didn't it?

 

Chanting Flutie, Flutie, Flutie as we exited the stadium. 

Man, I was a fan before that moment. But after I became downright manic. I mean how could you not? I know we didn't really win anything during that era. But it truly was a magical 2-3 years. I also couldn't get over how bad Wade got dragged for not wearing a headset.

[Bucktooth Bills]

I would definitely be interested in some of the memorabilia that is part of the demolition! I.E. seats, row signs, beer advertisements and so forth. More than likely the construction workers will get their hands on it first! 

[Dillenger4]

34 minutes ago, Bucktooth Bills said:

I would definitely be interested in some of the memorabilia that is part of the demolition! I.E. seats, row signs, beer advertisements and so forth. More than likely the construction workers will get their hands on it first! 

If Pegs is smart he will auction the stuff. Maple Leaf Gardens auctioned a LOT! Seats, bolts, whole rows of seats (5 total). Signs etc.

[Gregg]

37 minutes ago, Bucktooth Bills said:

I would definitely be interested in some of the memorabilia that is part of the demolition! I.E. seats, row signs, beer advertisements and so forth. More than likely the construction workers will get their hands on it first! 

 

I was a kid at the time, but I remember the Jets last game at Shea in 1983 vs the Steelers. As the game ended fans were ripping the seats up to take home. Fans had stormed the field were ripping up grass just to have a part of Shea. It wasn't violent or anything like that. Fans just wanted memorabilia of Shea as the team went to Giants Stadium in 1984.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Hopefully the best memory in stadium history didn’t happen yet. A home AFC championship game before winning the Super Bowl. Got 1 more shot to send it off right 

[Fleezoid]

Some random game in the 80's. it was a cold rainy day and was the case many times then, the Bills lost. As we were leaving, there was a ramp leading up and out of main concourse. Haven't been to game in a while, but I think it was the tunnel end in the corner. There was a steep patch of grass from the top of the ramp to the concourse. probably about 15 feet. Some very drunk dude was trying to climb up. kept sliding down and covered in mud and grass by then. He drew a huge crowd cheering him on. He finally made it and the crowd let out a huge cheer and applause. Best part of the game. 

[Ned Flanders]

My top ten games at Rich/Ralph/New Era/Highmark, in chronological order:

 

• First regular season game vs. Jets, September 30, 1973
• Drought win over Fish, September 1980
• OT win vs. Rams, December 1980
• Roland Hooks Hail Mary win vs. Patriots, November 1981
• AFCCG vs. Raiders, January 1991
• Comeback Game vs. Fish on Opening Day, September 1991
• AFCCG vs. Broncos, January 1992
• AFCCG vs. Joe Montana and the Chiefs, January 1994
• Playoff win vs. Fish (Tim Tindale Game), December 1995
• Win vs. unbeaten 49ers, October 1998

Edited 7 hours ago by Ned Flanders

[Metal Man]

Way too many specific football game memories to list them all out.

 

In general though I will always remember my earliest visits as a kid with my Grandma. She would always bring a thermos with hot cocoa for the cold games when you were still allowed to bring stuff like that in. Small things like that really added to the magic of that place as a kid. 

 

For non football though I will never forget the Metallica / Guns and Roses concert in 1992. That was an insane time.