Joe Ferguson forever Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) The announcers mentioned the 50 year anniversary of the stadium.. Who here went to that game. I can't remember details but it was a beautiful fall day, if memory serves... Edited October 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldwaide Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I wasn't there, but I recall hearing that many people never made it to their seats because traffic was an absolute nightmare. On a side note, I miss the old, 80,000 seat configuration. I used to sit in the upper deck and be able to go to the bathroom AND grab an (actually hot) hot dog with time to spare during halftime.. try doing that now after all the "improvements over the years... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QLBillsFan Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 The first game played was a preseason game against the Redskins.. Herb Mul Key returned the opening kick off for a TD! 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I was there and remember it like yesterday. Got to our seats just in time to see Herb Mul-Key of the Redskins christen the new stadium with an opening kickoff return for a TD. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chongli Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Well, the regular season home opener was September 1, 1973, Jets at Bills. I found this: 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ferguson forever Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) 20 minutes ago, haroldwaide said: I wasn't there, but I recall hearing that many people never made it to their seats because traffic was an absolute nightmare. On a side note, I miss the old, 80,000 seat configuration. I used to sit in the upper deck and be able to go to the bathroom AND grab an (actually hot) hot dog with time to spare during halftime.. try doing that now after all the "improvements over the years... We couldn't leave to go home after the game due to traffic I remember a touch football game in the parking lot with people playing and watching. i played, my dad watched. took hours to get home. they fixed it the next week. Edited October 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoMAn Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 18 minutes ago, chongli said: Well, the regular season home opener was September 1, 1973, Jets at Bills. I found this: This game against the Jets was the first regular season game played in the stadium. It was Sept 30 1973. 50 years ago this weekend. I was at the 4th game there- the Bills first Monday night game. In club seats directly a few rows in front of the booth where Cosell, Gifford, and Meredith were doing the game. Game 7, OJ went over 1000 yards, a milestone usually reserved for playing the entire 14 game schedule. Going to miss the troughs. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 My grandmother lived on California Road. I watched building of stadium from her property and wandered on site when being built. I watched game from grandmother's. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoMAn Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 35 minutes ago, Limeaid said: My grandmother lived on California Road. I watched building of stadium from her property and wandered on site when being built. I watched game from grandmother's. I vaguely remember riding in the car with my dad and driving by it when it was little more than a hole in the ground, or possibly the beginnings of construction. I’ve always been fascinated by large building projects and watching early stages progress into a finished edifice that will stand and service people for decades. Can anyone here tell me if there’s a static ‘stadium cam’ to follow the progress of Highmark Jr. ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Darragh Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 hours ago, QLBillsFan said: The first game played was a preseason game against the Redskins.. Herb Mul Key returned the opening kick off for a TD! I was there. At the time, as bad as the Bills were, it seemed a fitting way to christen the stadium. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuco Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I wasn't at the first game but did go to one that season against the Bengals. I was only 10 years old. Mostly I remember all the OJ hype as he was pushing for his 2,000 yard season. It was cold. The Bills had a chance to win at the end but missed a FG. Oh, and traffic leaving took, quite literally, forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xwnyer Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 5 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said: The announcers mentioned the 50 year anniversary of the stadium.. Who here went to that game. I can't remember details but it was a beautiful fall day, if memory serves... When Rich Stadium opened we purchased season tickets. Didn’t miss a home game until 1981 when I went to NC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessTruster Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 43 minutes ago, Xwnyer said: When Rich Stadium opened we purchased season tickets. Didn’t miss a home game until 1981 when I went to NC. yeah the late 70s / early 80s was the mass exodus for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 August 12, 1973 against washington. I have the coin Bills gave to ticket holders celebrating our new Bills stadium 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I was there. And, for those who don’t recall, the Bills were NOT terrible in 1973. There was incredible optimism and national focus with OJ going off for 250 yards in the season opener against the Patriots in Foxboro. A few weeks later, Monday Night Football came to Buffalo for the first time and it felt like we’d made the big time! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Aurelius Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 8 hours ago, QLBillsFan said: The first game played was a preseason game against the Redskins.. Herb Mul Key returned the opening kick off for a TD! I was there. We were given some kind of coin to commemorate the event. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Tate Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 7 hours ago, chongli said: Well, the regular season home opener was September 1, 1973, Jets at Bills. I found this: I attended this game, end zone seats. Seemed like every time any team crossed mid field it was in the other direction. 11 year old me didn't see very much of the actual game. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 8 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said: The announcers mentioned the 50 year anniversary of the stadium.. Who here went to that game. I can't remember details but it was a beautiful fall day, if memory serves... I was at the first ever game. a preseason game against the Redskins. First ever play at the RIch Herb MulKey returns the opening kickoff for a TD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 8 hours ago, Joe Ferguson forever said: The announcers mentioned the 50 year anniversary of the stadium.. Who here went to that game. I can't remember details but it was a beautiful fall day, if memory serves... I was 14 and my parents couldn't afford tickets to such a frivolity. But I did ride my banana bike from the east side to Orchard Park to see the stadium for myself. It would be a few more years before I got inside to see a game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ferguson forever Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) 35 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: I was 14 and my parents couldn't afford tickets to such a frivolity. But I did ride my banana bike from the east side to Orchard Park to see the stadium for myself. It would be a few more years before I got inside to see a game. Things were different back then, for sure. It was a very different experience than War Memorial. Clean, new and a bit fancy. I remember a couple with seats behind us bringing peel and eat shrimp to the game and my dad whispering "la de da" to me in jest. Now those are on tailgating tables all over. Edited October 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Jones Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said: $21 million and done in only 14 months….the good old days! 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 5 minutes ago, Bob Jones said: $21 million and done in only 14 months….the good old days! 😉 The scoreboard was $1 million, and had state of the art video capability…even if it’s just a bunch of lightbulbs presenting a VERY black and white pixelated image. Incredible how much that technology has changed over the years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcdermott Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I was sitting on the 400 when Mul-Key returned the kick. It was a parking, people walking around, radios blaring. Got to our seats just around half time. I think I still have goin they gave out to everyone. Only other memory is hearing that Duane Thomas stood backwards during anthem and almost hit into fight with fans in the stands. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Flanders Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Here are my ticket stubs from the first regular season game at Rich. I believe tickets were priced at $5, $7, and $9 in 1973. Still have the program in a box somewhere. I remember it was a great weather day, but not too much scoring, as the Bills won 9-7. Still have images of OJ juking out several Jets for a long gainer. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ferguson forever Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 A bit off topic, but did anyone go to this fantastic show?: I had just moved out of state but would have loved to have gone. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yockopondowsk Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I was there for the preseason stadium opener, and season opener. Some of us were complaining because we couldn’t bring our own beer, like we could at the Rockpile. The video posted up above of the Jets game really flashed memories. 1973 was the second year of Saban’s second stint as coach. It was Simpson’s big year. Rick Azar called Rich Stadium “the house that ‘Juice’ built.” Thank you to the guy who dug out the video. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwight in philly Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) 10 hours ago, QLBillsFan said: The first game played was a preseason game against the Redskins.. Herb Mul Key returned the opening kick off for a TD! Yep.. i can remember every detail of that night/game, but normally cant remember why i walked into a room now.. Edited October 2, 2023 by dwight in philly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ferguson forever Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 minutes ago, dwight in philly said: Yep.. i can remember every detail of that nighty/game, but normally cant remember why i walked into a room now.. i think i average 3 reentries into the house to get a forgotten item before finally leaving... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipkid Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) 9 hours ago, chongli said: Well, the regular season home opener was September 1, 1973, Jets at Bills. I found this: My first Bills game! Dad dragged this seven-year-old to a snorefest of a game. Edit: And I loved every minute of it! Edited October 2, 2023 by slipkid 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 My first - and only - game at Rich was the MNF game where OJ got hurt and, shockingly, we won anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muppy Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I'll be the first person to object to the OP referring to we Bills fans circa 1973 as "old timers" I prefer the term Vintage Diehards just sayin' lol its a celebration Monday people! Gotta love it! and my first Bills game ever was against Kansas City in 1973 MNF with Howard Cosell in the booth. The traffic still sucked. We left Batavia 4 hours early to tailgate and got inside the Stadium at halftime. Some fans never got into their seats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 9 hours ago, Limeaid said: My grandmother lived on California Road. I watched building of stadium from her property and wandered on site when being built. I watched game from grandmother's. Ever get wasted and explore the giant hole??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ferguson forever Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 12 minutes ago, Motorin' said: Ever get wasted and explore the giant hole??? Maybe once or twice.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 12 minutes ago, Motorin' said: Ever get wasted and explore the giant hole??? No. I was low teens and did not drink. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 10 hours ago, QLBillsFan said: The first game played was a preseason game against the Redskins.. Herb Mul Key returned the opening kick off for a TD! I was at that one. Don't remember any of it! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I still have a box somewhere with EVERY photo from the Buffalo Evening News and the Courier Express of Rich Stadium while it was under construction. Looking back, I’m guessing it’s one of the things from my childhood that inspired me to become an architect. Go figure! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 11 hours ago, QLBillsFan said: The first game played was a preseason game against the Redskins.. Herb Mul Key returned the opening kick off for a TD! I heard it, but I didn’t see it. Traffic was insane and we were still waiting in line to get inside. Ahh, how the memories of Bills fans are littered with these kinds of memories! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Deek Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Just now, Augie said: I heard it, but I didn’t see it. Traffic was insane and we were still waiting in line to get inside. Ahh, how the memories of Bills fans are littered with these kinds of memories! We were stuck in traffic on the expressway bridge going over Big Tree road. We could see the stadium lights from the bridge, but heard the call on the radio. Sheeesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargent Hulka Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers 21/Buffalo NY Courier Express/Buffalo NY Courier Express 1973/Buffalo NY Courier Express 1973 19123_1.pdf https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers 21/Buffalo NY Courier Express/Buffalo NY Courier Express 1973/Buffalo NY Courier Express 1973 19140_1.pdf I was at that game. Looking at the stat line, OJ Simpson did not appear in that preseason game. I don't remember why, but given the season he would have, I think having him in that first game at Rich would have made a huge difference in the outcome. I love the ad on Page 18 of the Courier, for "Sestak and Maguire's Arches", at 2766 Elmwood Ave., featuring the Sal Vaccaro Duo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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