Abandoned - RFK Stadium

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At the end of East Capitol Street in Washington DC, sits a prominent stadium which at one time was a staple in sports events. From its iconic games to the very design, it inspired millions who visited it and set the standard for modern stadium architecture in America. But after half a century of operating, RFK Stadium has seen a sharp and noticeable decline. Today, it sits as a massive abandoned stadium in the middle of the nation's capitol.
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Proper People’s Exploration - • Exploring the Abandone...
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Bright Sun Films 2023
Presented in 4K

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Congrats on 80 episodes and 10 years on KZbin!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you!

[@gabrielarambula4465]

@@BrightSunFilms No problem!

[@MakeKrylonGreatAgain]

@@BrightSunFilmsyou’re welcome.

[@elijahcandage]

@@BrightSunFilmsYour mom!

[@everythingsalright1121]

good god its been 10 years? it doesnt feel like ive been watching jake that long...

[@kentslocum]

The swooping, circular architecture and perfect location of this stadium makes it even more sad that it was abandoned.

[@QuintusAntonious]

Although having a massive abandoned monument to American exceptionalism that struggled to ever be viable in sight of the US Capitol is a bit too on the nose.

[@kentslocum]

@@QuintusAntonious It's the perfect reminder to our nation's leaders that they need to be a lot more careful how they spend our money.

[@nixulescu9399]

@@kentslocum they won't, they must be mercilessly removed and stripped of any power!

[@BevoFan1883]

It was a dump when I was growing up. It was never meant to last. The literal shaking was so scary too.

[@archstanton6102]

​@nixulescu9399 Really whete has that worked in the world without massive bloodshed?

[@R2debo_]

Truly the best urban exploring channel on youtube, it's just calm, no unnecessary drama, and informational. Thanks boys.

[@morrisminor4252]

This is the second time I’ve seen you today but can’t remember the other video 😂

[@richardjohn5219]

Agreed

[@McNetDeck]

Proper people*

[@versedbridge4007]

Bruh same

[@nedludd7622]

What other ones have you seen? There are good ones.

[@CEOdawg]

As a DC native, you actually did RFK Stadium justice with this one. Growing up in the 80s when the Skins were playing there, my church was about a mile away from the stadium. Still, even with the parking lots around it and public transit near the stadium, the city had people move their cars from the street so people attending the games can park there. When we had long 11 am services or a special afternoon service when the Skins were playing home games, there was always an announcement during service that said, "If you get a ticket, come to the church office and we'll take care of it." The polite way in which you addressed what the future for the land holds was nicely done and pretty much stating that the stadium is on Federal land is one of the reasons things have been held up is something I can applaud you for. Thank you!!

[@O___00]

More proof, the Federal Government is incapable of successfully doing anything properly.

[@dojocho1894]

Harry carson NYG Hall Fame linebacker said he fav place to play was RFK stadium.why? He said it was smash mouth football with riggins and the hogs..and he hated when the fans sang hail to the redskins after a score so he wanted to shut them up.....lol great days they were.

[@incarnateflame3462]

you arent a "dc native" you live in DC. the native people of that area were killed in a genocide and then essentially had a football field built on their graves and adding insult to injury a team unfathomably called the "redskins" and people still referring to them as that imakes it really sickening to read a comment like this. i literally have never in my life, despite being indigenous on my moms side, referred to myself as a "minnesota native" even though thats exactly what i am and it just seems tonedeaf as fuck to read your comment. js.

[@purplesprigs]

I saw my first Redskin game there in 1971 (beat the Giants), and the 1971 D.C. High School football championship (I still have the pennant). Great memories.

[@GarrettWorcester]

Aye, I wish I'd known Events DC was selling the seats. I would've purchased the five season ticket seats my Dad owned in Section 521, Row 21, 13-17 (although it probably would've cost me more to buy those seats than he paid for an entire season). Alas, the cost spiral being what it is meant I would've had to buy a house with enough room to "properly" display the seats, a hit I would have gladly taken for the team.

[@lauraduplooy]

1.36M subscribers!?! I remember back when you were just over 100K. I couldn't be more thrilled; it's deserved. Way to go, Jake!!!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you!!

[@richardc020]

Amen, same, it has been such a fun ride and more to come!

[@nibblitman]

Seriously I remember getting into this from way back at river country

[@RJordanT]

I find it absolutely insane that the planners allow so many huge stadiums to be built so close together. It’s actually wild out there in the US.

[@just654]

It isn’t really that wild, each sport really needs its own stadium. Hockey and Basketball are really the only ones that can share. Building multi sport stadiums are just a thing of the past. Slight lines, scheduling conflicts, player safety, all play a part.

[@ZGryphon]

@@just654 It's harder than it looks to play basketball on ice, though.

[@just654]

@@ZGryphon lol, that would be funny to watch.

[@churblefurbles]

@@just654 Naw politicians money laundering with government subsidies is the main motivation.

[@teijaflink2226]

To me personally it feels so wasteful.

[@maxwasson2000]

4:51 Sidenote: There were actually 2 incarnations of the Washington Senators, the first incarnation of the Senators played at Griffith Stadium and that team is now known as the Minnesota Twins, and the second incarnation of the Senators that played in RFK is now the Texas Rangers. 4:56 There were also multiple attempts to relocate existing MLB teams into Washington D.C. after the departure of the Senators (II), the aforementioned Padres were rumored to move there, but also the Pirates and Orioles nearly came DC, before finally in 2005 the Montreal Expos relocated to DC and became the Washington Nationals

[@shaggytallboy4982]

And the owners of the Expos became the owners of the Marlins and made a boat load of money off of that deal. That's a lot of crazy history.

[@EdenNeedsAYoutubeHandle]

The Expos left behind their own stadium in Montreal that's faced a slew of similar problems to RFK - the notorious eyesore, Olympic Stadium

[@HeisenbergFam]

Its wild to see stadiums go from once popular to desolate

[@jonleibow3604]

Taxpayers saw tens of millions of dollars go into a stadium, only for it to get 10-20 years of use, and then the team owners say "we need a new stadium or we're moving to a different city!" Then the new stadium gets built, and the still perfectly-good old stadium just sits there rotting for years until it eventually gets torn down.

[@jaysmith179]

Sad what is going on with Democrat run cities. All the hard working folks are moving out.

[@nedludd7622]

​@@jaysmith179MAGA propaganda?

[@hectorg.7282]

​@@jonleibow3604The stadiums should be built under contracts with the teams stating that a percentage of the profit should go to the repayment of the build and the team cannot leave until that happens. It is not rocket science, but the system we have now happens because team owners grease politicians hands and we allow it to happen.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@jaysmith179 ⁠nice Russian bot detected

[@jakezoet-jd1wk]

Wow, never thought I would see another Abandoned episode on a stadium, especially in Washington D.C It is pretty sad how it’s slow decline and decay was, especially considering it’s past history and the sports teams that played there Thank’s for another great episode, Jake, and congratulations for 10 years on KZbin and over 50 episodes of Abandoned.

[@jaysmith179]

Sad what is going on with Democrat run cities. All the hard working folks are moving out.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@jaysmith179 ⁠nice Russian bot detected

[@retrobear9367]

I had such a blast here in 2004. I was here for the HFS festival. Got to see The Cure, The Offspring, Jay-Z, P.O.D., New Found Glory, Violent Femmes, Cypress Hill, Papa Roach, Lostprophets, Yellowcard, O.A.R., Voodoo Blue! Was freaking awesome!

[@barrys4922]

Some of the greatest moments of my childhood were inside RFK Stadium, watching the Senators in the 1960s. They usually lost, but I loved those teams.

[@Drew791]

Nothing beat the HFStivals in the 90s. The ‘99 Fall Edition was wild with Limp Bizkit headlining with a massive water bottle fight that broke out over the entire stadium after thousands of bottles rained down from the upper decks. Oh the memories 💭

[@WipZedKay]

Always found it kinda funny that a channel called ''bright sun films'' covers abandoned infrastructure and bankrupt companies lol

[@Saintnick90]

I went to an HFStival here in 2002. For those outside the area, the HFStival was an annual concert hosted by local alternative rock station WHFS, and it's what I think of when I think of RFK concerts. That year, P.O.D., Papa Roach and Sum 41 were among the bands that played, and I got to walk around backstage and in the concourses. Seeing that it will be demolished makes me a little sad, but if it's not actively hosting anything and is falling apart, it's for the best. It's cool that people got to take some of the fixtures.

[@bendavis7246]

Yesss, i scene staind, weezer, chili peppers. Eminem. So many more I won't remember

[@SkiBumMSP]

I remember HFStival. I've never got to go to the actual festival, but I used to listen to WHFS quite a bit.

[@TotallyStoked]

I saw a few HFStivals and the Tibetan Freedom Concert there.

[@Pwj579]

Went to one of the last HFStivals at M&T Bank Stadium in the Summer of 2005 What a lineup They Might Be Giants, Billy Idol, Garbage, The Bravery, a very brief performance by Echo & The Bunnymen,.....it was a long day we ended up leaving before Foo Fighters and Coldplay went on....they were running like 2 hrs late and it was raining....

[@user-cq8fk8ej4h]

Was there every year in the 90s! I miss it. And WHFS. The music that shaped my teen years in the 80s.

[@L-A-C-IV]

Future episode suggestion: Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii would be a great future episode of abandoned. Abruptly closed despite having a relevant tenant and big events due to being structurally unsound and made largely of wood, yet still standing to this day in a large city

[@JahonaCA]

It's set for demolition later this year. The swap meet that currently uses the stadium parking lot is pretty cool and set to continue somewhere else on property during the demo.

[@isabellajimenez5310]

congratulations on your 80th abandoned episode jake!! what a milestone!

[@johnmassoud930]

Great life memories at RFK. Everything from seeing Paul McCartney 10th row, Rolling Stones Steel Wheels Tour 2nd row, seeing is kick Cowboys butt many times in the 70s and 80s. Saw the Senators play a few times. Great place to watch a game or concert.

[@N1CK512]

Great video, as an architecture student, I love the simplicity of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s in terms of design. It’s probably why I like minimalism in design. I also enjoy the historical photos and the way you explain the history of the design👍

[@toadscoper4575]

You should do a Bankrupt episode on the collapse of the Penn Central in 1970, which was regarded the largest corporate bankruptcy in the US at the time and ultimately had massive repercussions for rail transit across the nation

[@Sacto1654]

But even the collapse of Penn Central and the formation of Conrail didn't solve the railroad problems in the US Northeast until the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which finally allowed railroads to start disposing of money-losing lines. Conrail by the time it was split between Norfolk Southern and CSX was actually a pretty profitable railroad.

[@babydriz]

Went to my very first concert at RFK, the 99.1 HFStival in May of 2004. I was born in the area, but have spent pretty much my entire adult life abroad, but seeing videos like this still bring back fond memories.

[@jnyerere]

I grew up about a mile away from RFK stadium. Even at the time I was growing up in the late 90s to mid-00s, RFK Stadium was already an outdated and aging stadium. But never did I think it would be completely abandoned and torn down just due to its location alone. Watching this video truly brought back some memories from my childhood.

[@Carriedeeznutz]

Hard agree. I grew up a few miles away as well around the same time period. For a while it was the only stadium I knew, and I had no idea it was outdated. I have a lot of great memories growing up and going to DC United games at RFK, going to concerts, seeing fireworks there. The city’s changed a lot from what I knew growing up. It makes me really sad to see so many areas heavily gentrified. I remember when they finally closed RFK, it was what made me realize that the whole city is going to get the same treatment Union Market and U at corridor got.

[@jnyerere]

@@Carriedeeznutz The first time I realized DC was no longer "my city" was when they changed the metro station name from "New York Avenue" to "NoMa Gallaudet." I don't even recognize DC anymore. It's undergone drastic changes in just a couple of decades.

[@Carriedeeznutz]

@@jnyerere usually I don’t open my replies immediately, but I saw “NoMa” and I had a physical reaction. I recently wen to the Italian market near Union Market, it was my favorite growing up. I was so overwhelmed and extremely sad when I saw why they did to that area.

[@johnck6259]

RFKMS will be demolished not so much based on its location, but because (a) it is a relic (b) no events are going on in it again. SAD!!!!

[@BrodieThatDood]

Love this channel, keep up the great vids!

[@hatsunemiku8193]

Wow! 80th Episode! This is awesome Bright Sun Films! You do incredible videos discovering their past and today! Congrats reaching this far!👍🏻🎉

[@bigchungus8114]

Hi Miku

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@emu5088]

The fact that you mentioned "The Proper People," fills me with joy -- my two favorite channels on KZbin are you and them!

[@deespyker2271]

My Father-in-Law had season tickets to the Redskins at the RFK Stadium. Going there with the family to watch the Redskins play were the best times. Later I watched DC United play there. I don't remember seeing any concerts there, however, I would go with my friends to the Capitol Center to see concerts, I'm pretty sure that's gone now too. Thank you for covering Jake!

[@verdatum]

When then Redskins owner Jack Kemp Cooke first wanted to move away from RFK, one of his first picks was in Laurel, basically overtaking the area around the Laurel Racetrack. My parents saw that the infrastructure did not, and would not exist for such a massive stadium in the proposed area. They, along with many of our neighbors devoted countless hours towards getting the planned Laurel stadium shut down. I was a little kid, hand posting flyers at local residences, both against the stadium, and promoting anti-stadium politicians. In the end, we won, and the stadium was placed in a more suitable location in PG county, but, even there, most say it had overall negative effects on the local economy, which was not amazing to begin with.

[@wokewokerman5280]

so reminds me of the Astrodome...time moves on....and is relentless

[@laurendebruijn2325]

So in the end was PG really a more suitable spot? Laurel is too far just off the bat im surprised they seriously looked there. But they also seriously talked about putting a new stadium in Ashburn/ Leesburg VA so i guess ease of access isnt a priority to whoever does the deciding.

[@verdatum]

@@laurendebruijn2325 Yes, all they had to do was build a new exit off of I-495 to provide reasonable access to FedEx Field. Meanwhile, the Laurel racecourse area was miles away from I-95, requiring you to take rt. 198, which was already decently saturated, or about 1 mile from the light-rail on Main Street Laurel. And even with the addition of tons of shuttle busses, the light-rail and the light-rail station were never meant to handle those sort of volumes. Not to mention the fact that lots of 'muricans want to park their automobiles on-site so that they can have tailgate parties.

[@dannydaw59]

Why did Jack Kemp want to move out of RFK stadium? Does the new stadium have more seats?

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@dannydaw59 RFK originally seated 53,000 for football. In the early years, the huge scoreboard in right field was exposed for football fans, but the Redskins tried to cram in as many seats as they could, so they added 3,000 more and covered up the scoreboard. The average cookie cutter seated just over 50,000. Oddly, Foxboro Stadium (61,000) was larger than all of them.

[@jonathanslaughter3292]

Watching your videos is like stepping into a time capsule and watching informercials on tv at 2am in the 90s as a kid. It’s familiar, comforting, & entertaining. Congrats on 80. Here’s to 80 more 🎉🎉🎉

[@gabriellehopkins]

i’ve been watching for MANY years and your content never gets old! i always jump to watch your newest upload! thank you so much for your videos and congrats on 10 years on youtube and 80 episodes of abandoned!

[@brucestorey917]

I can’t count how many times I went to RFK Stadium for various events. It really is sad to see it go, and I’m sure Washington, D.C. will never be able to replace it with something more iconic.

[@two3D]

I lived in the District in the 90s. Just the concerts alone - Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, HFStival …🤘🏻

[@burnaguy2453]

I went to see it today it still isn’t demolished but the inside looks awful

[@srgvldmr]

Thanks for the videos and congrats on the 80th episode. It’s sad seeing something that was so prominent get abandoned just like that

[@johnroot4886]

Congratulations on 10 years Jake, I love all of your videos, you do such an amazing job with them, just want to thank you for all the work you put into them.

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@chris_is_here_oh_no]

Excellent documentary, wonderful coverage of the history to modern state of this stadium. These are always the best produced and well researched videos I've seen on YT. Amazing work!

[@XNick291X]

I've walked from the Nationals Park to RFK Stadium. Did it back in May 2023 on my vacation. Completely closed off but you had a modern sports facility at one end with the Metro going by. It was truly a sight to behold!

[@JustCallMeAnnie]

That’s awesome!

[@deespyker2271]

I am thankful The Merriweather Post Pavilion (1967) and Wolf Trap in Virginia have lasted as long as they have. Both have simple stages, lots of land and great acoustics. :)

[@kouusa]

Only problem with Wolf Trap is trying to *leave* Wolf Trap. Unless they added more ways to get out since the last time I was there. I'm really glad they're still here too.

[@colormedubious4747]

I saw Devo at the MPP, Foreigner at the Cap Center, and several orchestral concerts at Wolf Trap during my high school years. Always a hoot and a half!

[@deespyker2271]

@@colormedubious4747 When I was a kid, we would go every year to see the fireworks at Wolf Trap. Have a picnic and play. We rode in the back of my Father's pickup truck on hay bales with my siblings and our friends. We grew up in Fairfax.

[@edalder2000]

@@colormedubious4747 IMP, who runs The 9:30 Club in DC, bought MPP some years ago and it was renovated within the last 5-6 years. That place will be hosting shows for a while to come.

[@two3D]

Love Wolf Trap. Always hated MPP sight lines.

[@Newbobdole]

100 ACRES?! I had no idea it was that large. THANK YOU for enunciating just how beloved the 'Skins were for the DC area back before Snyder

[@robertl.andersonii5926]

The stadium is just one small part of a massive tract of land that was owned by the National Park Service until recently. DC owns it now and will start development soon.

[@matthewperry2218]

I remember going to multiple HFStivals there. Multi-day concerts. It was a right of passage as a teenager in the DC area!!

[@rashaddayton3138]

Staind in 2001. That shit was awesome

[@pitbalto]

HFStival and Tibetan Freedom Concerts were amazing at RFK. It wasn't just the lower-level bleachers that bounced. The upper decks also bounced as everyone jumped up and down in unison. I can remember wondering about the engineering inspections and if they accounted for everyone bouncing at the same time.

[@kathyberry3878]

Saw several Grateful Dead shows there. The parking lot was always crazy and a lot of fun.

[@RobsGameCollection]

Congrats on 80 episodes!! Been following this series since the start. I have a suggestion: Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead NY. The county remodeled it and then abandoned it and now there’s plans to replace it with a casino

[@staceyhey5708]

Thank you for this video! I requested this a few years ago to do an abandoned review on. RFK will forever be a memory.

[@rspearsonyt]

Thank you for this RFK abandoned episode. truly a trip down memory lane for me, attended my first NFL Redskins game there in 1970, with seasons tickets til the Redskins move to neighboring Maryland, quite a few MLB Senators baseball games and of course many many concerts. And yes the stadium really did shake when the Redskins played and the fans where cheering 👏👏👏

[@alliechotikul1621]

as a virginia native i drove past rfk all the time. wasn’t alive for all the history that happened there, but i definitely remember it looking strange. another great one, jake!

[@Natalie66796]

I really hope you do some UK versions of Abandoned and Bankrupt because it'd be interesting to see ^^ Though I do love all your other ones too :)

[@charlescummins1536]

Longtime fan of your channel and your videos. Your videos are always carefully researched, written and composed, including this video on RFK stadium and, as someone who attended several events at RFK over the years, I thank you for the care you took with this video. I definitely learned a few details I didn't know. Another local landmark that I think would be great for your next Abandoned video would be the Uptown movie theater in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington DC. The theater had one large screen of 70 feet by 40 feet, sat about 850 people (spread throughout a main floor and balcony), hosted several movie premieres over the years and was beloved by local Washingtonians as THE place to see big blockbuster movies. The theater closed in early 2020 (just before the pandemic) and has never reopened, sitting abandoned. Rumors spread of what is to become of the theater, but each plan seemingly hasn't gotten past the early planning stages. The status of the Uptown has remained a mystery and a subject that I think could be worthy of your next Abandoned video.

[@KannikCat]

Wow, not only did I not know about this stadium, but it's doubly hard to fathom how this abandoned and decaying structure stood for so long being framed as the terminus of the axis and thus in full view of the capitol. Quite a surprise to many a visitor, I imagine. Nice design too, unfortunate that like the TWA Flight Center (which might be a good video, I'm so happy it's been lovingly restored as a hotel) which quite innovative and beautiful the requirements of the times passed it by and it got left behind. At least with 100 acres they can do something a lot nicer now than a sea of parking. Great episode, thank you for the video!

[@Dbomb81]

I’ve never in my 44 years on this earth heard someone mispronounce the Padres (pronounced “Pod-res”). Other than that thanks for the video.

[@glory9932]

I literally stopped watching the video and started reading the comments to see if anyone else caught that! 😂

[@texboyporsche944]

Just like the Astrodome. I don't understand why new stadiums always need to be built. Stadiums cost so much to build. Why can't these just be renovated? Update the interior spaces and repaint the building. These stadiums have so much history to their city's infrastructure. Do we really get tired of major structures like this where in 30 years it's just considered an old stadium?

[@biohazardlnfS]

Yup, cause often the teams want new stadiums to be partially funded by the city/state and make threats to leave so then politicians who want tourism money get scared and offer up the money. However, in many cases the money they used to build ut doesn't go back to the tax payers not all cases but some have scene this happen. When that 20 million could have easily gone to repainting, shoring up, and stabilizing the current stadiums. Just more waste

[@staringcorgi6475]

But many people like the new stadiums like who likes shea over citifield the former is as worn down as a old car

[@88cutty]

​@@staringcorgi6475shea was cool as hell.

[@staringcorgi6475]

@@88cutty but shea was way too big for a 1 tenent stadium in the later years

[@7beachbum]

Unfortunately, some stadiums can't be renovated.

[@LPdedicated]

Congrats on the 80th episode! Your videos are always so informative and to the point, yet you can still feel the soul of the places you document, which adds an emotional layer. Keep up the good work!

[@marcialynn3469]

Another great video. I'm from NYC and saw many Grateful Dead concerts there at RFK. Didn't know it was being torn down, as I am retired in Mexico now. Graet video

[@americanmanhood]

Some of the best nightclubs in D.C. were torn down to accommodate Nationals Park. I was truly devastated to see them go and will always hold the Nationals responsible for one of the most tragic events of my youth.

[@CEOdawg]

There was a pretty good strip club over there too! 🤣🤣

[@jono1432]

I remember the McDonalds right at the bottom of the exit ramp of 695. Always an adventure. Never really knew what you were going to get outside or inside of that place.

[@CEOdawg]

@@jono1432 I think they tore it down for an apartment building. I think the car wash is still there, though.

[@WeirdNeffie22]

I live in Northern Virginia near Washington DC. It’s cool to see you cover something that is in my backyard!

[@jaysmith179]

Sad what is going on with Democrat run cities. All the hard working folks are moving out.

[@michaelwilson7141]

Congratulations on 80 episodes. I love watching your videos and all of the information and history about what it is about thank you for sharing and all of your hard work

[@halfghostgirl]

Thanks for another well-written, engaging video where I learned something I didn't know before. Appreciate your hard work. Congrats on 80 videos, Jake!

[@nicolesgaming8917]

Also, the American Le Mans Series held a single race in the north parking lot at RFK, in 2002, called the Grand Prix of Washington, DC. I know it isn't RFK itself, but I think an event the parking lot is worth a mention, especially since the parking lot has itself been abandoned, having been turned into a park in the past decade.

[@robertl.andersonii5926]

I remember that. it was crazy seeing cars driving around city streets (not just the parking lot) at 150mph.

[@Marpat-Camo]

Congratulations on 80 episodes 🎉 Thanks for making my Fridays extra special 😁

[@ea7654]

I was waiting for this one great job, please keep us updated as for what’s coming

[@storm92jk]

The Proper People is my favorite channel on youtube by far. Awesome to see a shout out for them here

[@welcomestranger]

Every abandoned US stadium story goes the same way. "Business was going well for years, and then they built 15 brand new stadiums in the city within walking distance of this big old one."

[@staringcorgi6475]

Rfk was aging and outdated which wouldn’t be good for concert goers and the teams which is the same reason why they want to demolish the oakland collesium which is considered one of the worst ball parks

[@cgimovieman]

This is very timely. I was literally just watching a few videos on RFK this same week. But I’m glad you made a video on it. DC was a purpose built city designed for our national capital, after our government was in places like Philadelphia and New York City. A whole lot of thought went into not only its location, being right in roughly the dividing line between the north and south, but also how it was designed. Taking many cues from European cities. That’s why a most DC has height restrictions for buildings, and you don’t see skyscrapers. But one thing I’ve always loved about DC is how it can serve as an example of some of the best of the United States, and also be progressive. The ever expanding DC Metro is a good example of that. But as I understand it, where RFK is, which is really kind of an extension of the national mall, was always sort of earmarked for a coliseum-like sports complex. And as you said, for its time it really did set a precedent. So I really hope and think that once RFK is gone, it would be SO appropriate and amazing if a big state of the art football stadium was built, that again would be a new example of what we can do as a country and a people. So…fingers crossed! 🇺🇸🤞🏻🏈

[@roibigdawg4606]

Jake you always do perfect research which makes your work/videos much more worth watching than others on KZbin

[@jakesapir]

Amazing stuff as always. I remember when this series was relatively new, and now it's on 80 episodes.

[@rocketdude2969]

Congratulations on 80 . Seeing a Redskins vs Cowboys game at RFK stadium was something magical. The stadium was filled with fans that yes shook the building. It's sad to see these iconic buildings be torn down.

[@otaviofrn_adv]

man, I never lived the time, but I've seen some Cowboys fans even saying, despite the rivalry, that the (ex) Redskins were the best organization and management in the league. Fact was that it was an insane home advantage. The fans were the 12th, 13th and 14th players when they were strong. Saw a youtube video of the Divisional vs the Falcons in '91. Had a little pregame with Lesley Visser and Pat O'Brien in the CBS telecast, you could feel the stadium coming alive when they were on, despite the not so good weather. Game was called by Verne Lundquist and Dan Fouts. And when Jerry Glanville showed the Redskin helmet to his players as motivation on the sideline, the fans went into war mode. And so did the players. A beatdown from the bad return by Deion Sanders to start the game to the 24-7 final score. Here's for better days under the new ownership. Regardless of the name, this team has a history that is too beautiful to be thrown in the trash like Dan Snyder did it for the last quarter of century

[@joshingram071]

Well, with new ownership w the Commanders (Still Redskins in my eyes) they're looking to put a new dome stadium in place of RFK & move the team back to DC. From what I've read; idk how accurate the report is

[@cypher515]

@@joshingram071 I do hope the Commanders go back to the city proper; it'd make so much sense. I agree with the name change on principle (I hated when St. John's changed from the Redmen, but therels a good point there as well -- the same good point actually) ... but I just do not like 'Commanders' that much. It doesn't have any history. (Then again my choice, the Sentinels, has no REAL history in Washington... just movie history.)

[@Seroxm13]

The Commanders!

[@laurat1129]

From 2001-06, I worked for an int’l architecture design firm, and our LA location specialized in sports & entertainment. As I recall, there were many ongoing design studies to save RFK stadium. It seems this effort went on as long as it took to get an NFL team back in LA and the power struggle over where they’d play (Coliseum? Rose Bowl?) Anyway, I forgot how many teams, sports, and major concert events happened at RFK such that it has historical significance. Yet still, few arenas, ballparks, and stadiums do get saved b/c they usually turn out to be not worth it (Fenway is one of the rare exceptions).

Amazing! Thanks for this video Jake

[@twoguysandatruck4811]

I grew up going to RFK stadium and watching the 'Skins. I went to many concerts there and it was sad to watch it decay. In the later years, there was a flea market in the parking lot. So sad. I left the DC area in 2009 and I'm glad I didn't have to watch it fall apart completely. Thanks Jake

[@staringcorgi6475]

I think senators is a better name than commanders imo

[@joshhaynes3383]

Growing up, I always heard stories about sports games at RFK and the bouncing stands. I never did get to go to an event there, but I always look with sadness on the dark and abandoned hulk of a structure when I pass it. It would be amazing to have a new stadium for the Commanders (or whatever name they end up with) on this ground. Without a stadium here, I fear that developers will just ruin the area with overpriced and cookie cutter housing...

[@DontcallmeaCuck]

Redskins

[@StewartLochheadslochhead]

Congrats on Episode 80 and 10 years Jake! Love your work, you really are a great story teller and as an Australian, you genuinely get me interested in the history of many parts of America and make me actually want to properly visit! Looking forward to many more years! Thank you so much for this truly amazing content!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@JustCallMeAnnie]

Omg. This is the Abandoned ep I’ve been waiting for.

[@raymondmartin6737]

Great story. I am almost 80 and remember much of those days, and in 1966 saw RFK speak at NYU in the Bronx, while being a student there as he was running for Senator. 😊

[@Stationjoke]

Oh I’ve been waiting for this video for so long! It was a beautiful stadium. I’ve heard the Commanders want to return to the sight with a new stadium. Congrats on 80 vids btw!

[@keepmoving2023-ku7nb]

It would be nice but they are thinking about going towards outside of DC with a training facility and stadium where it's more room .I saw a virtual of how it would look it would be a state of the art 🎉

[@nickwest252]

I attended well over 100 Nationals games at RFK and I always loved RFK. It was already a dump by 2005, but it was OUR dump. That place had personality. Nationals Park just feels sterile.

[@reedbowers1887]

Loved this channel for a couple years now

[@terrygoodrich2006]

Thank you for another walk down memory lane. My parents absolutely loved going to the Senators and Redskins games while dragging this little kid along for the ride. 😊

[@christopherenglish3172]

happy 80th episode jake and cheers to the next 80!!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thanks!!

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I hope the land just becomes a park. They can set up a small area to the side for maybe a little shopping (like boutiques, but don't have a massive parking lot on that side...or any. The point is to keep it limited to foot traffic so it feels removed from the usual hustle and bustle of the city). Or add something else that could get people to interact with each other somehow and is a conversation starter. A lot in my generation (Millenial) say they're lonely and making friends as an adult is hard. Giving people an easier way to interact would be great. I don't have an idea of the specifics of this, but surely someone smarter than me can work out the details. Imagine it in the future becoming a popular "I met my so and so here" kind of spot. That would be great.

[@JustCallMeAnnie]

It’s not an area where boutiques would work, sadly.

[@wingerfan1]

Congratulations on your 80th episode. Such an awesome video to commemorate the event. I always wanted to visit the stadium growing up, but never had the chance. It would've been really cool to keep the letters from RFK off of the building.

[@aaxronnn]

I remember watching this since I was in high school and now into adulthood brings back a lot of memories, congrats on 10 years 🥳

[@Advisorblogger]

Congrats on 80...... as a dc native you covered everything really solid. To add a few more details, there was a "stadium" before that one called turner field but it is unclear how long it lasted. For the last 15 years there has been a power and financial struggle between the owners of the commands and city officials about paying for a new stadium to replace that one. What became fedex field was a 30yr lease that is soon ending. Maybe the new owners will decide to figure out a stadium solution in city.

[@storcutt72]

2024 and it's still standing...

[@msn64man1]

Congratulations for 10 years of bright sun films and 80th episode keep up the good work

[@loduca16]

6:13 They actually hosted 9 soccer matches at RFK in the 1996 summer Olympics. Six men’s games and 3 women’s games. It’s a really good piece of trivia that most people have no idea about.

[@arottie4097]

[@kyleh0122]

Great episode. I got to see this decaying stadium in person back in 2014, and it was sad to see its decrepit state, even back then, knowing what it once was. RFK really was a trendsetter. Before the 70s were over, pretty much every city that hosted both a baseball and football team would play in a dual-purpose stadium, with RFK being the first. And it’s amazing, even with its limited use, that the stadium continued to stand and host events after almost all of its contemporaries were torn down. I’m personally hoping for a new Commanders stadium on the site, considering the fans’ rightful hatred of pretty much everything to do with FedEx Field. Here’s hoping the new ownership considers it.

[@jaysmith179]

Sad what is going on with Democrat run cities. All the hard working folks are moving out.

[@untexan]

@@jaysmith179spamming that comment hard there, comrade. At least three on this video alone. Anyway, Congress would have to change the zoning of the land to reach its full potential. They could put a new stadium there, but only a new stadium. The entertainment district the Commanders want to build around it would not be allowed as it is now.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Fenway Park is the oldest stadium in the world. The Red Sox think it can last until 2061. But the modern stadiums were never maintained. It amazes me how quickly they decayed.

[@tokyosmash]

Having grown up going to sporting events and HFStivals at RFK, this hurts.

[@JustCallMeAnnie]

HFStival was the best time there.

[@edwardimhoff3106]

I was there, ... RFK Stadium, End of November 1976 Army Navy Game. I was a BCT Recruit at Ft. Dix NJ and they shipped us all over there to cheer on ARMY. "GO ARMY ! BEAT NAVY !!" Navy won 38-10. ... Tough day for Army, ... But I was there..

[@arottie4097]

W0W! I was there November 28 1976.Skins beat up on them Eagles 24-0! Was my 1st NFL game. What a memory!!

[@hannes3452]

As always, a really great video. Congrats to 80 Episodes of Abandonded!

[@andrewehyang]

Just like most abandoned stadiums, demolish it and build housing

[@JDMNINJA851]

Will just become a slum

[@Paracosm]

Fun fact: on 295 south which passes very close to RFK, there still is a sign from 1996 advertising the Olympics

[@jonnorthall8526]

80 episodes? OK I'm gonna have to go back watch them all again. Another great video Jake

[@TominatorT-]

Days of Future Past anyone?

[@TheShift1313]

I have some fond memories of the rfk stadium. My extended family had a popular restaurant near DC that frequently served the redkins and the managment. I was able to go on field and even up to the roof as a small kid before the skins moved to fedex field.

[@RichieRouge206]

Excellent video Jake! Congratulations on 80 episodes too!

[@venaben3496]

The 80th episode of the best series on KZbin AND you showed a Foo Fighters clip!! Awesome!!

[@Emppu_T.]

Great work man.

[@katelynkosar7133]

This stadium was a staple of my childhood as I was a DCU ticket holder! Love this!!!

[@ThePlanetsChampion]

I was just on site for the broccoli city music festival and seeing that massive structure and surrounding property just sitting abandoned was mind boggling Congrats on episode 80!!!!

[@patrickconrad396]

Going to DC united games here was a blast. The whole stadium rocked like it was about to collapse and that was 3/4 empty

[@Frankingator]

Yess finally this stadium. Thank you so much Jake for doing my suggestion!

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thanks for suggesting it!

[@nubtv8545]

great video, with great info!

[@hockeyfans91]

Great work mate never miss a video keep up the great work

[@megumei044]

Congratulations on 10 years on KZbin! Love your content :D

[@MistyLake]

My friend and I took the Greyhound down to DC for HFStival at RFK Stadium in 2002. Our first trip without parentals. Such a cool venue and great 2-day concert!