Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As we get set for the final Buffalo Bills home game at Highmark Stadium, one of WBEN's good friends recalls making a trek to the first game at the stadium 52 years ago.
Dominic Cortese from "Hammertime Radio" says he picked up his tickets from a friend for that preseason game in 1973. He took his dad, and getting there was half the battle.
"It was probably the worst traffic jam I can safely say I've ever been in," Cortese recalled. "We toyed with the idea of bailing out several times, but persevered. And when we got there, I think the game already had started."
He says the Thruway was a parking lot at one point.
Cortese points out some comparisons when it comes to first impressions of, what was then, Rich Stadium and the new Highmark Stadium across the street.
"Just like when we look at the new Highmark now, you have that sense of, 'Wow', as to how amazing and awesome it was. And you know how we look at it now as a derelict building that needs to go," Cortese said. "It's funny how times have changed. The look and feel of stadiums has changed, but back then, just like our new one being state of the art, it was state of the art too."
Cortese remembers how everyone who went to that game received a special souvenir.
"Each got a little gold color, kind of aluminum weighted coin commemorating the opening day of, then, Rich Stadium. And I've been spending my spare moments trying to find it, and I haven't been able to locate it yet, but I do have it set in my memory as to that token that was given out to all the visitors," Cortese recalled. "As you get any kind of souvenir when you come through the gates now, it's a nice memento, a nice memory. And I always thought, 'You know, I need to hold on to this, because you never know what it might be worth some day.' And of course, I can't find it."
The final game at the current Highmark Stadium is set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. against the New York Jets.
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