If walls could talk, then the old Tampa Stadium would never be able to close its mouth.
The former home and stadium of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, famously nicknamed the Big Sombrero for its uniquely curved-shape upper deck, was home to many iconic events.
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Super Bowl XXV was one of the most iconic football games in the history of the sportCredit: Getty
None more so than Super Bowl XXV between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants.
Otherwise simply known as ‘Wide Right.’
Cover your ears, Buffalo fans.
Bills kicker Scott Norwood had a chance to win the game and capture Buffalo’s first Super Bowl win in franchise history, but instead shanked a 47-yard field goal attempt with four seconds left.
The Bills lost 20-19.
It would be the first of four straight Super Bowl losses for Buffalo.
Not only did the game have one of the most dramatic finishes of all-time, but it also may have had the best start to a Super Bowl ever.
That’s because the ultra-talented Whitney Houston sang one of the most iconic national anthems in the history of sports.
To this day, Houston’s performance is regarded as one of the best of all-time.
However, the Big Sombrero was known for much more than just Super Bowls and football games.
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It sat adjacent to Raymond James StadiumCredit: Getty
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The 74-000 seater was infamous for being hot in the Florida climateCredit: Getty
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Houston performed one of the most iconic National Anthems before Super Bowl XXV
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Led Zeppelin broke the attendance record for a concert at the time back in 1973
It also hosted a plethora of concerts.
Record-breaking concerts to be more specific.
In 1973, Led Zeppelin broke the record at the time for the largest audience to see a single artist/group.
Nearly 57,000 people showed up to the concert.
It was an iconic venue that was around for a little over three decades before its demolition.
It opened in 1967, expanded significantly during 1975, and was ultimately demolished in 1999.
NFL’s Greatest……
Ranking the top 10……
Tampa Stadium had a max capacity of 74,000.
The Buccaneers called it home from 1967-1997.
Various teams of other leagues also made it their permanent residence throughout its time.
Teams including the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits, MLS’s Tampa Bay Mutiny, the South Florida Bulls, Tampa Spartans, Tampa Rowdies, along with NCAA events like the Outback Bowl.
Everybody who visited remembers the heat.
The baking Florida sun reflected off its aluminum benches. Only the luxury suites had air-conditioning and those seats were nearly 140 feet from the field, with both spectators and players bearing the full brunt of Tampa’s subtropical climate.
The Big Sombrero was a home to everyone, and a pillar in the Tampa community.
And its impact and history should never be forgotten.
Here’s a tip of the cap to the Big Sombrero; they don’t make them like they used to.