Falcons fans: Are you willing to let it snow, let it snow …? (UPDATE: Will Bears-Vikings be moved here?)
Fans' view of last week's Bears-Patriots game in Chicago. (Don't worry. Atlanta's not this bad.)
(UPDATED below with news that the Chicago Bears-Minnesota Vikings game is considering the Georgia Dome as a fallback site.)
Hello. It’s cold outside. Do you love football enough to sit in this for three or four hours?
This topic has been going around ever since Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced that he wants to build an open air stadium. Personally, I love open air stadiums. The sounds are better. The smells are better. It just feels more like football.
Besides, I get to sit inside a press box.
Loading ...No seriously, while I’ll give you that I grew up in the not-so-brutal winters of southern California, I did sit outside through many cold and rainy games. (The hot chocolate never stayed hot in the thermos, by the way.) But I’ll grant you that I never had to sit as a fan through an outdoor game in snow or ice, at least not since press boxes were enclosed.
(I twice covered NFL playoff games at the old RFK Stadium, which had an open press box. I learned it’s difficult to type with frozen fingers and icicles hanging from your nostrils. But I do remember Furman Bisher wearing a very cool houndstooth cap.)
OK, back to the point of this blog. Would you sit in this weather for a football game? I imagine many of you have done it for a Georgia or Georgia Tech game.
But have you been spoiled in the last 18 years by the Falcons playing in a dome stadium?
Got a poll up. I’m giving you three choices. But if you’ve got some time, why not share a cold weather sports story with us. Could be fun.
(FYI, I’ve added a retractable roof as one of the three choices. But because of the significant additional cost, I’m not sure Blank considers that an option.)
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UPDATE: With the Minnesota Vikings still unable to play in the Metrodome because of its collapsed roof, there’s a chance their Monday night game against Chicago will be moved to the Georgia Dome, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Vikings’ first choice is to play at the University of Minnesota’s stadium, where workers are trying to shovel snow out of the seats, aisles and field. From the story:
The Vikings badly want to play the game in Minneapolis because Monday is the culmination of a weekend celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the franchise. Other dome stadiums have been mentioned as possibilities, including stadiums in Detroit and Indianapolis. Although they don’t have final say, the Vikings logically would be opposed to both options and even St. Louis because they know the stadiums would be filled with huge pro-Bears crowds. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said if the game isn’t played in Minnesota the likely destination is Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
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200 comments Add your comment
Bill
December 16th, 2010
9:53 am
“College bowl teams do it all the time”—yes, at the Ga. Dome, Jacksonville, Miami, Pasadena, Phoenix, New Orleans . . . get the message?
DawgFan
December 16th, 2010
9:54 am
Umm… Hank, hockey requires a sheet of ice, which is not always promised outdoors. And even though there are several groups of kids that get together in Minnesota and northern Michigan and play hockey on frozen lakes and ponds, if it warms up enough the rink goes away. Thus, at least at the collegiate/semi-pro/pro level, hockey must be played indoors to maintain the ice.If it warms up or cools down, the actualy ground does not go away, but ice will.
Larry
December 16th, 2010
9:55 am
Further, with 60″-73″ HD TV’s on the wall in Theater Rooms now (I have a 73″ at home and a 63″ at my cabin) I’d like to make a suggestion. Have the players and owners give up a few of their millions and create a highly comfortable atmosphere to sit for three hours. Just widen most or all of the seats about 50%, increase the distance about 200% on the rows, and in general make the seating like that of a high end theater. This, great food and service, a classy, welcoming environ met will get better fans to the games
My 4 seats are on ROW 1 at the 40 yard line just 20-30 feet from the players and yet I still cannot stand having my shoulders rubbing the people on each side of me!
Russ555
December 16th, 2010
9:56 am
College season ends in late November before it gets cold. I remember the Peach Bowl played after Christmans, They had rain, freezing rain, snow, hail, sleet, and a blizzard all within three hours. Last time we had a super bowl here there was an ice strom. Watching a game in late December or January in Atlanta in cold rain or ice is not something fans will want to do.
SimpleDawg
December 16th, 2010
9:58 am
Georgia’s games are over by December 1. The weather really gets nasty in December and January.
I, for one, would not be as willing to buy season tickets and sit out in the elements. I’ve had tickets in the old Fulton County Stadium, and I have them in the Georgia Dome……there’s no comparison. Hot as Hell in September and early October, and cold as a banker’s heart in Winter…..no thanks. I’ll either take a Dome environment, or I’ll just watch on TV where the environment can be more comfortable.
Besides, a Dome can pay for it’s self in so many more ways than an outdoor stadium.
Concrete Pete
December 16th, 2010
9:58 am
Embrace domes people. It’s called technology. it progresses and makes life better. “Football is meant to be played outdoors in the elements”… Yea and we used to crap outside in a hole until indoor plumbing. Embrace technological advances!
Tweets that mention Falcons fans: Are you willing to let it snow, let it snow ...? | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
December 16th, 2010
9:58 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Daily. Atlanta Daily said: Falcons fans: Are you willing to let it snow, let it snow …? – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) http://bit.ly/hcODnz [...]
SacFalcFan
December 16th, 2010
9:59 am
I think Tech and the Falcons should share a stadium with a retractable roof. GO JACKETS!!!!!
JSS
December 16th, 2010
10:02 am
@ Old Gold…
“The Peach Bowl also had no problems.”
What the? The Peach Bowl almost folded multiple times because of the weather. It took Chick-fil-a and the opening of the Dome to make it the Destination game it has become.
The thing about venues is not novelty for team owners, it is revenue and revenue streams! This is not college football. There have been multiple HBCU games played at Turner Field by the way, SHOCKING!!! Again, it not about venues…
Gary
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
I love the cold but you can have the heat. It is brutal sitting in Sanford Stadium for a 12:30 game in September in the hot sun. Those games are miserable. The Tech game this year was great. You can always dress warm, but you can’t do anything about heat humidity and sunburn. Keep the dome. I will suffer to watch the dogs. I need A/C and comfortable seats to pay for a Falcons ticket.
SimpleDawg
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
Oh yeah, my inclement weather football story: Peach Bowl, 1970, Arizona State vs. UNC. Game played at Grant Field. We sat in the North Stands…..basically bleachers. Snowed so hard that when the action moved beyond the 50 yard line, we couldn’t see anything but a snow curtain. My date begged to leave at halftime…..she was a college girl, I was in high school…..I yielded to her wishes….never regretted the decision…on several levels.
80sFalcon
December 16th, 2010
10:05 am
My dad and I were at a Falcons/Giants game at Fulton County Stadium with kick-off temps in the single digits. We were two of the idiotic (or passionate) 7,000 fans in the stadium that day. I enjoyed it as much as any game I’ve been to since. Just want to see Falcons football. Don’t care where it’s played. With the unpredictable Southeast weather, it’s best to have a dome if we want to draw another Super Bowl. If you remember, it was a major deciding factor in Atlanta missing out on hosting the game.
falconfan 24-7
December 16th, 2010
10:05 am
On good weather days, I would be there with a cold beer. On bad weather days, will be home on a warm couch with a cold beer rooting the Falcons on to victory.
Larry
December 16th, 2010
10:07 am
SimpleDawg,
LOL…but it is most tacky to leave out the finest of details!
Sonny Clusters
December 16th, 2010
10:08 am
Clusters don’t mind bad weather but Clusters have had some big games in a dome. We would vote for a dome mostly because of the danger of never knowing when the roof might collapse and the excitement that adds to a game.
JoeMan
December 16th, 2010
10:08 am
If Buffalo and Green Bay have open-air stadiums, there’s no reason we should sit in a dome in Atlanta. It absolutely makes for a better football experience. HOWEVER, I wouldn’t support spending a DIME of public funding for a new stadium. The Dome is in great shape, and should serve the Falcs for at least another decade or so.
winkasdad29
December 16th, 2010
10:09 am
I want a retractable roof stadium so Atlanta can still host big events like the Super Bowl, SEC Championship, NCAA Final Four. I’m from the North, but winters here are different than winters up there. It’s no fun sitting in 35 degree weather and raining heavily. I’d take the snow instead.
It’s OK for the Vikings to put their logo on the field if the game is played here. I think the Vikings will need to ask the Falcons for permission, though.
Tweets that mention Falcons fans: Are you willing to let it snow, let it snow ...? | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
December 16th, 2010
10:09 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Patrick Maness and Tim Yonkers, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: UPDATE on #Falcons/weather blog: Will #Bears-#Vikings MNF game be moved to Georgia Dome? http://bit.ly/fdSQ7t [...]
northern neighbor
December 16th, 2010
10:10 am
I remember a Thursday night Tech game versus Notre Dame when I was a kid in the late ’60s.
I thought is was really nice of my dad to give his tickets to a friend (young ND alum) who took me to the game. I have never been so cold in my life. The frozen fish the students threw at the Notre Dame bench were originally frozen.
I love watching football played in the real elements … on TV.
I like the Georgia Dome.
After we have another 20 year economic run, then we can build a new stadium.
winkasdad29
December 16th, 2010
10:11 am
Simple Dawg,
You were wise beyond your years.
Larry
December 16th, 2010
10:11 am
Coldest and nastiest game I ever attended was the 1978 playoff game where the Falcons, in their very first playoff game ever, nipped the Eagles 14-13 in old AFCS.
The game was great but it was impossible to get warm…The Dome Please!
northern neighbor
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
I meant the fish were orginally ‘NOT FROZEN’
chas
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
Retractable roof stadium with real grass would be my first choice, but if that didn’t work I’d opt for an open air stadium. As long as the game is played on real grass I want to see the game live. I consider myself to be a loyal Falcons fan and watch every game on t.v., but I absolutely hate the Dome for football. I’d say I’ve been to probably 3 Falcons games in the Dome, but I used to go to Falcons games all the time at Fulton County. There is nothing worse than sitting in a Dome on a nice, cool 70 degree day in November. Sure, occasionally you will get a nasty day or night of football, but that makes it more interesting. Dump the Dome!
just sayin'
December 16th, 2010
10:12 am
why don’t the owners ask the players what they prefer?
Time
December 16th, 2010
10:13 am
Umm, Atlanta is hardly a frozen tundra where one would have to worry about snow and real, bitter cold. Atlantans are scared by 30 degree temps and the chance of snow flurries though.
That being said, if you’re building a new stadium there is absolutely no reason to not build yourself the best of both worlds. Retractable roof stadiums are pretty much the norm now and would be a perfect fit in Atlanta. That way for the majority of the season when the worst you might deal with is low’s in the 40’s you could have it open. And on those rare situations late in the season when the weather gets truly cold you could close it up.
Moddyd
December 16th, 2010
10:13 am
I like going to games outdoors. That being said I am not sure if we can get the noise level going in an outdoor stadium that we can in the dome. I think that is helping our Falcons win right now. Its also not any where near the deafing levels that place can get to. My ears were ringing in 2005 for the SEC championship game and when the Falcons killed the Rams in the playoffs. Teams are going to fear coming to our house in the playoffs. That place is going to be nuts. I dont care if bandwagons are all around just as long as they get LOUD!
Ted M
December 16th, 2010
10:14 am
The wind chill forecast for Monday night is minus 18. That’s really freakin cold. You couldn’t really enjoy the game but you would have great stories to tell about how you toughed it out.
DaBears and DaCubs
December 16th, 2010
10:15 am
Falcons should move outside – 75% of the season down here is beautiful fall weather. As for Bears v. Vikings possibly coming here for Monday – the Vikes are mistaken if they think that won’t be a pro-Bears crowd. They must not have every been to a Braves v. Cubs game at Turner Field aka Wrigley Field south. It’s all Cubs fans!!!
DJ Sniper
December 16th, 2010
10:16 am
I hate cold weather with a passion, so if we ended up with another open air stadium, you can best believe I will be rooting for my Falcons in the comfort of my own home when the weather gets nasty. Hell, I hated just walking from my job to my car during the early part of this week, so there’s no way I would sit outside for 3-4 hours for a game. Let the people in Green Bay, Chicago, and Buffalo deal with that nonsense.
Larry
December 16th, 2010
10:18 am
Joe,
The goods folks in Green Bay and Buffalo are Neanderthals! They love this lifestyle! Here in the south we have evolved into cro magnon. Let’s just leave both alone so I can enjoy a coke in the dome in January!
SimpleDawg
December 16th, 2010
10:19 am
Larry, let’s just say that she warmed up considerably.
Bird Droppings II
December 16th, 2010
10:19 am
@ Angus
Great idea the TED could be converted to play football games and the parking is much better than the GA Dome. However, the MARTA rail doesn’t pass through only the bus. I still believe it would work.Maybe, the Falcons could experiment with a preseason game. It would create a entirely new vibe.The Titans have an out door staduim and there weather is similiiar to ours.They have a magnificient facility and fan base.
season ticket holder
December 16th, 2010
10:20 am
can’t really compare UGA and Tech outdoor stadiums to the NFL. College teams don’t play in December or January; weather isn’t very cold in November when the college teams finish their home schedule.
Innocent Bystander
December 16th, 2010
10:21 am
I’d love if my Bears came to play MNF at the Dome. I’d be there in a heartbeat. (For the record, the Bears are my 2nd favorite team behind the Falcons, of course)
we don't have a winter
December 16th, 2010
10:22 am
Honestly, Georgia almost never gets snow or extreme cold, so playing in the “winter” elements here has little appeal to me. If we’re talking about Chicago or Minneapolis, I feel differently.
Idea
December 16th, 2010
10:23 am
Can’t believe all these people who want a roof. Football doesn’t feel like football in a gymnasium. It’s meant to be played outdoors. Every time I watch the Falcons, I feel like I’m going to an opera. Maybe it’s not possible, but I would really love to see a roof just over the seats. It’s got to be possible.
joe
December 16th, 2010
10:24 am
GT and UGA’s season ends in Nov…the Falcons play at home through Jan…and if they make the playoffs each year, through mid-late Jan…there’s a huge difference in that 2 month time frame. I’d opt for the retractable roof…get the best of both worlds…open air when nice, and closed roof when ice…see what I did there?
GTIronman
December 16th, 2010
10:25 am
Outdoor Stadium? Are you kiddin’ me?
We got global warming, baby. It will be too hot to play outside in 5 to 10 years.
As Hemmingway said in A Farewell to Arm Warmers, “We’re Cooked!”
Keep us indoor and turn up the AC!
gbal
December 16th, 2010
10:25 am
Honestly folks (ABlank included) Tell me what’s really wrong with the Ga. Dome? The team plays well as they have the last few years, and the place fills up. So it’s 18 years old. So is my house and it is still just fine. The Ga Dome serves the purpose well. I just can not understand why owners insist on new venues…Why the NFL insist on a new venue if ATL wants another Super Bowl. The SEC Championship is a GREAT event in the GA Dome. Save the $$$ and stay in the G Dome.
suwaneefalcon
December 16th, 2010
10:25 am
I lived and had season tickets in Denver back in the ’80’s. Been to Soldier Field to watch a snowy Bear’s game. I am sorry but, I will take a retractable roof any day. Sitting in the type of weather that we have today to watch a game is not fun to me or enjoyable. Technology is a great thing, if it wasn’t we would not be posting these comments today like we are. You know, on a computer.
oldfart
December 16th, 2010
10:27 am
4th option. Retrofit the current Dome with a retractable FIELD a la the Arizona Cardinals stadium. Natural grass rolls in leaving a natural “patio” area for tailgating/pre-game festivities, whatever. Controlled environment for the fans and the game but played on real grass and no huge burden for the taxpayer to build an entirely new arena.
gbal
December 16th, 2010
10:29 am
And if we must have a new stadium, another dome. No sense in the additional expense just so we can have the novelty of opening or closing the lid depending on weather. Just like a convertable automobile. Kinda fun to let the top down when it’s nice but not necessary.
Steve
December 16th, 2010
10:30 am
Schultzie –
I was at the Falcons/Bears night game a few years back in Chicago…it was end of December and the temperature was around 6 degrees with a windchill of -5 to -10. Every time they put the temperature up on the scoreboard, the fans cheered. Me? I just curled up in my 12 layers and Warrick Dunn jersey and prayed that the game would end soon. The Falcons lost 17-3 (or something like that) and it was the most miserable experience of my life. Maybe I’m spoiled by Atlanta weather or it was the fact that the Falcons blew it big in that game, but I absolutely hated the experience.
RoadDAWG
December 16th, 2010
10:31 am
I was at the Pats-Titans snow game last season (I’m a Falcons season ticket-holder, but a client offered me tix to that game when I was up there for work). It was MISERABLE. Freezing rain, snow, sleet, wind…it was not at all fun. I will say that I was impressed with the fact that the entire stadium was full anyway; though once the Pats built a 45-0 halftime lead, we (along with many Pats fans) hit the road.
If cost was no object, a retractable roof would be best. Outside in good weather, inside in bad. I don’t get why the Falcons need a new stadium though…the Dome is fine…and they almost NEVER lose at home.
GO FALCONS!
papadawg
December 16th, 2010
10:32 am
Don’t care what kind of stadium it is as long as it’s not in downtown Atlanta. the old Doraville general motors plant would be a excellent location. On 285, near I85 and near a Marta train station
North Atlanta
December 16th, 2010
10:32 am
I will gladly sit outside as long as the stadium is moved to the northern suburbs of Atlanta. I am sick and tired of driving downtown.
timthebrave
December 16th, 2010
10:34 am
The only time I would want outdoor games is half of October and all of November. The first part of the season would be brutally hot and 2nd half freezing cold with horrible traffic. Dome or retractable roof is the best option.
kreedham
December 16th, 2010
10:37 am
I had heard the Georgia Dome folks were given a plan with the retractable roof or without. At the time it was an additional $50 million, which is certainly cheap now but the powers that be decided that was just too much!
Arthur needs to look at the new Cowboy Stadium…looks pretty cool!
stand strong Atlanta
December 16th, 2010
10:38 am
If the Falcons or the NFL wants to pay for a new stadium, I’m cool with that. However, the Georgia Dome is working perfectly for the SEC Championship, the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game, the SEC basketball tournament, the ACC basketball tournament, and the NCAA basketball tournament (even though I personally think the basketball events should be played at Philips b/c basketball in a dome sucks more than football in a dome).
There’s no incentive for the taxpayers to fund a new stadium (the payoff from the ONE Super Bowl that we MIGHT be awarded is not enough to warrant funding the stadium.
I love the Falcons and the NFL but I feel very strongly that a new stadium should NOT be funded in any way by the taxpayers at this point.
timthebrave
December 16th, 2010
10:38 am
Jeff Schultz, you should have just put up the options without the comments so you could really find out what people think.