For the past 50 years, the Superdome has interwoven itself within the culture of New Orleans. Having risen at a time when the rest of the landscape was evolving, it's seen much of the Big Easy's rich history, such as hosting eight Super Bowls and hosting a lot of very big games in college football. Most importantly, it was there when the city needed it most.
The Concept
Ever since he was awarded an NFL franchise back in 1966, Saints owner John Mecon Jr. made it his mission to build a massive stadium in the middle of New Orleans. After taking a tour of the Houston Astrodome, he insisted that his stadium be big enough to place the so called "Eighth Wonder of the World inside with room enough left for a track meet. Thus, the idea of the "Super"dome was born.
Mecon hired the famed architect Nathaniel C. Curtis Jr. of the Curtis and Davis Architects firm. Having designed the Rivergate Convention Center, his firm aimed for a massive yet classic look.
Soon after ground broke on August 12, 1971, construction crews began digging up skeletons. Unnerved and believing that they had stumbled upon a crime scene, the police were called. It was only after they learned that it was the former site of the Old Girard Street Cemetery that had been demolished back in 1957.
After that amusing hiccup, construction was soon back on schedule. By late 1975, the Superdome was ready for business. It had three tiers of different colored seats to make it seem fuller. With a capacity crowd of 83,000, that would certainly be an intimidating sight for any visiting team. The designers had no idea how long it would be until the Saints truly took advantage of that unique design.
The Glory Years
The Louisiana Superdome officially opened on September 28, 1975. Of course the Saints lost that day (21-0 to the Bengals), they lost much more than they won back then, but that didn't matter to the New Orleanians. After all, this was the crown jewel of the numerous efforts to renovate the Big Easy. All over the city, from the riverfront to the French Quarter to the tremendous effort to revamp the downtown business district, New Orleans was awakening to the modern age.
In addition to the Saints, the Superdome was also home to the Tulane University Green Wave, the NBA's Jazz and a host of smaller league teams such as the Pelicans (AA), Breakers (USFL) and Night (AFL).
With old Tulane Stadium now condemned, the Superdome proved to be a natural arena for college football Sugar Bowl. It's hosted the Sugar Bowl every year (except 2006) since 1975. In later years it also hosted the BCS national championship four times and is now a popular site for the College Football Playoff. It became famous for hosting the NCAA's Final Four, becoming the backdrop for Michael Jordan's game-winning shot to win the national championship. The Superdome hosted its first Super Bowl in January 1978, providing the backdrop of the very first Super Bowl held at night. Including tomorrow, it has hosted seven more.
It even ventured past ball sports and into the sweet science. The Superdome hosted the Ali vs Spinks fight (Ali won) and the Duran vs Leonard fight (Sugar Ray Leonard won). The Rolling Stones made history in December 1981 by performing in front of the world's largest indoor concert with 87,500 packing the Superdome. Pope John Paul II spoke in front of 80,000 at the Superdome in September 1987 and the Republican National Convention was held there in 1988.
After hosting so many events, the Superdome had become a shining light of New Orleans. Tourists from all over flocked to gawk at its vastness and to gaze at its wonder. Still, it had yet to reach its peak.
Katrina
In late August 2005, a Category 5 hurricane ripped through New Orleans with winds whooshing through the Big Easy at 140 miles per hour and 15 inches of rain drenching the city. While many fled the city, many couldn't and had to flee to the Superdome for shelter. More than 16,000 people crammed into the vast building that had provided so much joy for the city.
With the roof being ripped off and the generator and its backup soon failing, it got ugly pretty quickly. People slept in urine, crack vials littered the restrooms and walls were smeared with blood next to smashed vending machines. Multiple rapes occurred and a few people died, including a jumper. Supplies ran so low that mothers were given used diapers and simply told to scrape off what they could.
The food was just barely above prison level, with people being rationed just two water bottles and two boxed meals a day. 500 National Guardsmen patrolled at all hours to ensure that no one left. At the time, no one inside had any inkling just how bad things had gotten outside.
Eventually, the waters dried up and the long journey to rebuilding the once-vibrant city began. New Orleans almost lost the Saints, but a great effort by many, including NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabou and a stadium management team led by Doug Thornton, saved the Saints for New Orleans. It took a lot of time and $185 million, but the Superdome was officially reopened on September 25, 2006.
On that Monday Night, Saints special teams player Steve Gleason brought a roar back to the city by blocking a Falcons punt. It was the spark that the Saints needed to beat Atlanta 23-3. But it was so much more than the win.
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