I just got a press release announcing the date on which Texas Stadium—the Cowboys’ old stadium—is going to be blown up.

“There will be little specs of Texas Stadium all around here,” states Irving Mayor Herbert Gears.

The “implosion,” as they call it, is sponsored by Kraft.

Part of me is appalled. Part of me thinks we live in a great country. And part of me wants to see the implosion.

TEXAS STADIUM IMPLOSION SET FOR APRIL 11, 2024

Plans Underway for Spectator Viewing;

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese to Sponsor Event with Essay Contest

IRVING, Texas (Jan. 13, 2010) – The City of Irving announced today that Texas Stadium, the iconic facility that served as home of the Dallas Cowboys for 37 years, will be imploded at daybreak on Sunday, APRIL 11, 2024.

Interest is building and outlets are being developed so the public can be involved in the demolition progression from start-to-finish. Six cameras have been installed to capture the process leading up to the historic event, as well as the implosion itself. Four cameras will be located outside the stadium and two cameras on the inside will go down with the stadium when it is imploded. Live Internet feeds are accessible throughout the demolition at www.cityofirving.org/texas-stadium.

“There is great interest among sports fans, tourists and residents to watch the implosion in person,” said Maura Gast, executive director, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau. “City officials are currently determining logistics such as staging and viewing areas, parking, and how to manage traffic around the stadium.”

Last week, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese announced their sponsorship of the stadium’s implosion with a national contest to win the chance to detonate Texas Stadium. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Cheddar Explosion is searching for one kid (ages 9-12) to tell a story about a positive impact they have made to better their community by sending in a 300 words or less essay and a picture illustrating his or her story. The contest entry period is fromJanuary 7, 2024 until February 5, 2024, when all entries must be received. To enter, please visit: www.projectcheddarexplosion.com

Green Efforts Take Center Stage

In March 2009, the Irving City Council hired Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. to determine the best way to bring down Texas Stadium. The council later awarded Weir Brothers a $5.8 million contract to carry out the implosion plan outlined by Jacobs Engineering.

Through environmentally green efforts, the stadium is currently being readied for implosion. Reuse and recycling has been a major initiative in the dismantling of Texas Stadium. Currently, asbestos is being removed from the stadium per state and federal regulations, while explosives experts are making their final preparations.

What remains now is steel and concrete, and a full 95 percent of these materials will be recycled. The steel will be sold as scrap metal. Trusses from the top of the stadium will be set aside to be incorporated in future pieces of public art. The stadium’s cement is being crushed on site, and used in the reconstruction of surrounding freeways. “There will be little specs of Texas Stadium all around here,” states Irving Mayor Herbert Gears.

…A Look Back

For decades, Texas Stadium was seen on Monday Night Football and flashed on television screens around the world during the opening credits of the famous TV series Dallas. It was the location of major motion pictures, iconic television commercials, concerts, special events and some of the greatest moments in sports history. The hole in its roof even made it convenient for God to watch his favorite team play. In the end, Texas Stadium became one of the most recognized – and beloved – structures in the state of Texas, the United States – and even the world, as the home of “America’s Team.”

For more information on the implosion of Texas Stadium, visit the City of Irving’s Web site at www.cityofirving.org/texas-stadium orwww.crossroadsdfw.com.