Ye old Rockpile

[Chandler#81]

with apologies to @Cotton Fitzsimmons.

 

Just a wee lad, I attended a number of games through the years, courtesy of my Dad, Uncle and chartered buses from the local fire hall. Some of my best memories are ‘66 win vs. inaugural Dolphins and the ‘68 & ‘69 games vs. Joe Willie & the Jets. One, our only victory in NY’s Super Bowl year and the following was #32 (newly given) OJ’s debut, a 33-19 loss. Also white out snow games vs. Cinci & Denver. Caught a few Bison games there as well.

 

Share some tales, duffers.

https://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/stadiums/war-memorial-stadium/

 

 

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, Chandler#81 said:

with apologies to @Cotton Fitzsimmons.

 

Just a wee lad, I attended a number of games through the years, courtesy of my Dad, Uncle and chartered buses from the local fire hall. Some of my best memories are ‘66 win vs. inaugural Dolphins and the ‘68 & ‘69 games vs. Joe Willie & the Jets. One, our only victory in NY’s Super Bowl year and the following was #32 (newly given) OJ’s debut, a 33-19 loss. Also white out snow games vs. Cinci & Denver. Caught a few Bison games there as well.

 

Share some tales, duffers.

https://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/stadiums/war-memorial-stadium/

 

 

My father and grandfather used to bring full size KEGGERS into the Rockpile. People think the shenanigans now are crazy but the 60s were wild at the Rockpile

 

I still drive by there and thank Ralph

[Chandler#81]

Just now, Buffalo716 said:

My father and grandfather used to bring full size KEGGERS into the Rockpile. People think the shenanigans now are crazy but the 60s were wild at the Rockpile

 

I still drive by there and thank Ralph

Dad & Uncle introduced me to flask chugs after TDs. I was a cheering madman during the snow games!

[Rico]

6 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

with apologies to @Cotton Fitzsimmons.

 

Just a wee lad, I attended a number of games through the years, courtesy of my Dad, Uncle and chartered buses from the local fire hall. Some of my best memories are ‘66 win vs. inaugural Dolphins and the ‘68 & ‘69 games vs. Joe Willie & the Jets. One, our only victory in NY’s Super Bowl year and the following was #32 (newly given) OJ’s debut, a 33-19 loss. Also white out snow games vs. Cinci & Denver. Caught a few Bison games there as well.

 

Share some tales, duffers.

https://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/stadiums/war-memorial-stadium/

 

 

Only there once, for that 1969 Cincy snow game. Sure seemed to me to be far tougher conditions that day than what I saw on my TV in 2017 against the Colts, but I was pretty young.

[Seasons1992]

While I didn't go to any Bills games there, I went to plenty of Bisons games before Pilot Field opened. I actually got on the field and in the dugouts prior to a game because I was a finalist in the Pitch, Hit and Run competition. What a cool feeling as a 9 year old. I still can't pitch worth a damn, but even at 42, I can run and hit!

 

My uncles took me and my brother to a game once, and I distinctly remember where we parked and how he handed a kid some money to make sure my dad's car (uncle owned an El Camino) would be fine upon return. It was.

[chris heff]

Went to a lot of games there, my father had seasons tickets.  I can’t remember who they played, but one game I went to with my father was pretty funny. Parking was pretty much nonexistent, my father gave two kids $5 to park in their driveway, except it turned out to not be their driveway. The real homeowner had been at church. She was not happy, my father did a lot of apologizing. A twelve year old me found it hysterical.

[PromoTheRobot]

I went a few times. My first Bills game was the '69 season opener against the SB champion Jets and Joe Namath. I walked from my house near Broadway Market with my sister. It was like a parade as we got closer. Some cars were parked on tiny lawns. I remember the melee in the end zone on every FG and XP. That was before nets so kids were fighting over the free footballs. Of course you know that's where the filmed "The Natural" with Robert Redford?

 

I had a flashback a few years ago when a buddy and me went to Hamilton for a Ti-Cats game at the old Ivor Wynn Stadium. Looked and felt the same.

 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2020 by PromoTheRobot

[oldmanfan]

Was there for The Hit Heard Round The World.  I still remember folks carrying cases of Genny into the games.

[VirginiaMike]

My father worked at Roswell Park and we used to park there and walk to the stadium.  I saw multiple Bills games there, one UB Bulls game, and many Buffalo Bison (baseball) games there.  The very short right field porch with the tall fence / net there was cool.  I believe that the movie "The Natural" was filmed there.  It was a cool place and really enjoyed my visits there.

[Bleedbuffaloblue]

Saw a lot of games there with my Dad including the two AFL title games. Always enjoyed those days, just me and my a Dad. My Dad used to work there when he was younger, so he knew a lot of people that still worked there. Sometimes they would sneak us in when my Dad didn’t have tickets. 
Every time I watch the movie “ The Natural “ and see the old stands and those ramps up the outside it brings me back. Love it!

[ColoradoBills]

My 1st game was the Houston Oilers in the '69 season.

It started a tradition with my father to go to 2 home games every year together (just us).

 

I was blown away the first time I entered the stadium.  I was just a kid of ten and was not prepared for the sights, sounds and smells of that place.

It was such a raw experience that it's hard to explain to younger people who never went there.

 

One thing that I remember that is so different from games nowadays is how people dressed.

My old man in a suit coat and his Kleinhans "Buffalonian" hat.  No one had team jersey's back then.

 

I can't think of the Rockpile without remembering my Dad, thanks @Chandler#81 for another trip down Memory Lane!

[plenzmd1]

37 minutes ago, Rico said:

Only there once, for that 1969 Cincy snow game. Sure seemed to me to be far tougher conditions that day than what I saw on my TV in 2017 against the Colts, but I was pretty young.

I was only at a couple games at the Rockpile, and they were always the super cold games when someone would give us tickets..and I agree, always seemed way colder than that Indy game was. I was perfectly fine at that game, ask @mead107. I do wonder though if our outerwear is just so much better today, and had i had the same clothes on I had back then, would i still have been freezing my tuchus off.

33 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said:

While I didn't go to any Bills games there, I went to plenty of Bisons games before Pilot Field opened. I actually got on the field and in the dugouts prior to a game because I was a finalist in the Pitch, Hit and Run competition. What a cool feeling as a 9 year old. I still can't pitch worth a damn, but even at 42, I can run and hit!

 

My uncles took me and my brother to a game once, and I distinctly remember where we parked and how he handed a kid some money to make sure my dad's car (uncle owned an El Camino) would be fine upon return. It was.

Man, the Bisons games there on Friday with happy hour was great. Kelly, Reed and a few other Bills were ofetn at those happy hours, great fun. Cant remember really watching the game from seat much though!

[Augie]

41 minutes ago, Rico said:

Only there once, for that 1969 Cincy snow game. Sure seemed to me to be far tougher conditions that day than what I saw on my TV in 2017 against the Colts, but I was pretty young.

 

I was only 10 at the time, but I clearly remember that day. Not the game so much, because it was often hard to see the field! My dad had 2-4 season tix back then so I was there quite a bit, but that game probably stands out as #1. You got a good one. 

[Paul Costa]

I went to 4 or 5 games there. First game was OJ’s rookie year. Exciting times for a six year old. What a different world ?

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

One of my clearest memories from the Rock Pile as a kid was seeing Cookie Gilchrist from just a few feet away and thinking what a huge guy he was.  It stuck with me.

[Jeffalo]

Dad took me to my first game there when I was 6, all I remember is his buddy kept tapping me on the shoulder to get me looking one way while he reached over my other shoulder and stole my fries.  Dad loves to tell stories about my Mom making him and his buddies ziltz sandwiches to take into the game.

[Rico]

12 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I was only 10 at the time, but I clearly remember that day. Not the game so much, because it was often hard to see the field! My dad had 2-4 season tix back then so I was there quite a bit, but that game probably stands out as #1. You got a good one. 

One of the few wins that year.

[Bob Lamb]

27 minutes ago, VirginiaMike said:

My father worked at Roswell Park and we used to park there and walk to the stadium.  I saw multiple Bills games there, one UB Bulls game, and many Buffalo Bison (baseball) games there.  The very short right field porch with the tall fence / net there was cool.  I believe that the movie "The Natural" was filmed there.  It was a cool place and really enjoyed my visits there.

Both War Memorial Stadium and All High Stadium behind Bennett High School were in The Natural.  WMS also ran NASCAR events - Kyle Petty ran there. Bills players used to come back out onto the field after games and collect unopened beers that been thrown from the stands 

[TroutDog]

Love hearing these stories! Alas, I was born in ‘69 so didn’t get to see it.

[maryland-bills-fan]

Been there. Parked a good ways away and walked the last half mile. People were selling 6-packs on the street for you to carry into the game. I remember one game where the Bills were backed up near their own goal line and the QB threw a pass that was intercepted for a pick-6.  The Bills offensive line tackled the guy in the end zone and then went on a rampage tackling and knocking down the other team's players fro 3-4 minutes. The officials didn't know what to do, it was just like a Bison's hockey game. Fans loved it. I also went to the first game at Rich Field and my wife and I both got a plastic silver dollar sized gold colored token as a keepsake.  Damn! have lost or misplaced it years ago.

 

[dwight in philly]

as stated a few times in various threads , my dad took me there in 1960 , when i was 8 ..  against the denver broncos and their vertical socks..  i fell in love with the old place , so much so that i started going to AA bison games in 1979 just to be able to inhale the old place 

[Augie]

1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said:

with apologies to @Cotton Fitzsimmons.

 

Just a wee lad, I attended a number of games through the years, courtesy of my Dad, Uncle and chartered buses from the local fire hall. Some of my best memories are ‘66 win vs. inaugural Dolphins and the ‘68 & ‘69 games vs. Joe Willie & the Jets. One, our only victory in NY’s Super Bowl year and the following was #32 (newly given) OJ’s debut, a 33-19 loss. Also white out snow games vs. Cinci & Denver. Caught a few Bison games there as well.

 

Share some tales, duffers.

https://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/stadiums/war-memorial-stadium/

 

 

 

HEY! That place looks just like ME! 

 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

I'll never forget the game I attended there that was dark as night, cold, and pouring the entire game.  But we beat Dallas, which is all that really counted.

[Seasons1992]

46 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

Man, the Bisons games there on Friday with happy hour was great. Kelly, Reed and a few other Bills were ofetn at those happy hours, great fun. Cant remember really watching the game from seat much though!

 

What's insane to think about, is how many of us all probably passed each other time and time again in life, in Buffalo.........and now we're all here. 

[Marv's Neighbor]

1 hour ago, Buffalo716 said:

My father and grandfather used to bring full size KEGGERS into the Rockpile. People think the shenanigans now are crazy but the 60s were wild at the Rockpile

 

I still drive by there and thank Ralph

Look at some of the old pics of people in  the stands.  People actually dressed up to go to games.  As I recall, that didn't last too long, but it seemed to start that way.

[chris heff]

My brother played there, he was St. Joe’s QB in early 1960s. I think they played Canisius.

[Buffalo716]

16 minutes ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

Look at some of the old pics of people in  the stands.  People actually dressed up to go to games.  As I recall, that didn't last too long, but it seemed to start that way.

Football was a very classy game back in the day despite it's barbaric tendencies

 

Coaches like Lombardi dawned the sidelines with class

[machine gun kelly]

Love hearing from you mature guys as wont say old timers.  My dad, turning 90 this year told me about his dad taking him to the pile and the craziness (kegs and so on), and how Hunt he fans were at that time.  My guess is that was the real mafia back in the day.

 

Thanks for the memories you young guys.

[Helpmenow]

Went to a lot of games there. Stood on the sidelines with bills photographer. 

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, Helpmenow said:

Went to a lot of games there. Stood on the sidelines with bills photographer. 

 

Remember the wooden snow fence on the sidelines/endzone.  LOL, talk about lack of safety concerns.

[SC BIlls Fan]

I remember going to two games in the early 60's. My Dad took me I was maybe 6 or 7.  The games were against Denver and Houston. I remember how great Cookie was. The Houston game George Blanda was QB. I later went to a late winter Game against Miami and remember freezing my butt off.

[Wacka]

OnlyBills game there was in 72 when I was 15. My friend was sick and his  dad asked if I would like to go in his place. Was against the 49ers.  All I remember from the game was that John Brodie  got knocked out of the game and the Bills won. Was the second last game at the Rpckpile.

 .

[ColoradoBills]

6 minutes ago, Wacka said:

OnlyBills game there was in 72 when I was 15. My friend was sick and his  dad asked if I would like to go in his place. Was against the 49ers.  All I remember from the game was that John Brodie  got knocked out of the game and the Bills won. Was the second last game at the Rpckpile.

 .

 

I was at that game and remember Brodie went down and Steve Spurrier came in.

That game was early in the season so I don't know if that was the 2nd last game or not.

I say that because my Dad and I would only go to games in September and October.

[chris heff]

39 minutes ago, SC BIlls Fan said:

I remember going to two games in the early 60's. My Dad took me I was maybe 6 or 7.  The games were against Denver and Houston. I remember how great Cookie was. The Houston game George Blanda was QB. I later went to a late winter Game against Miami and remember freezing my butt off.

There was nowhere to hide from the cold in that place.

[chris heff]

I saw a game there when the Bills were down to Ed Rutkowski playing QB. 
 

In the mid sixties I remember chants of “we want Lamonica”.

 

I remember  a game against the Dolphins when Mercury Morris got into a fight on the sidelines with one of his teammates.

[Marv's Neighbor]

I like referring to the first Bills Relentless book.  I can usually match up my memories with a particular game and date.  

[Helpmenow]

Worst playing conditions especially latter in the year. Muddy field.

[Marv's Neighbor]

Just now, chris heff said:

I saw a game there when the Bills were down to Ed Rutkowski playing QB. 
 

In the mid sixties I remember chants of “we want Lamonica”.

 

I remember  a game against the Dolphins when Mercury Morris got into a fight on the sidelines with one of his teammates.

Ed was the "disaster" QB, and that was usually pretty true.

[lookylookyherecomescookie]

Home opener 1969 was against the Jets, who had won the super bowl the previous january.  When the Jets were introduced prior to the kickoff, I remember them getting a standing ovation from the  Bills crowd,  for being the first AFL team to beat the hated NFL. That was when the 2 leagues were still separate, and only shared the draft and the super bowl. That stadium had 'character' 

[purple haze]

The Bills playing at the rock was before my time.  As a kid, I used to go to some Bison games in the summmertime with my Grandpops. Talk about a no frills building.  I loved being in there though. Every color seemed bright: the field, the uniforms.  

 

I used to go to church on Southampton Street.  Had family on Michigan Ave.  I remember when the Bison did something good you could hear the roar of the crowd from blocks away and you know the joint wasn't full.  Can only imagine the sound when the Bills were playing.