Three Rivers Stadium

Three Rivers Stadium (sometimes referred to simply as 3RS) was a multipurpose sports stadium and event facility located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Related Topics:
Three Rivers Stadium - Stadium - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - USA

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The stadium's name was derived from the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, where they formed the Ohio River. The stadium was located on the north side of the confluence.

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Monongahela - Allegheny - Ohio River

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Three Rivers played home to Pittsburgh's Pirates, Steelers and the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers, as well as to concerts, monster truck rallies, professional wrestling shows, Billy Graham revivals, and other types of events. In all, Three Rivers Stadium hosted over 5,000 events in its 30 years of existence, but it was seen as an outdated facility in the "luxury box" and "signature stadium" era of the 21st century.

Related Topics:
Pirates - Steelers - USFL - Pittsburgh Maulers - Concert - Monster truck - Professional wrestling - Billy Graham

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The stadium's design was almost circular in nature, attempting to facilitate use by the Pirates and Steelers with equal accommodation. Unfortunately, as was the case with other cities in which this so-called "cookie cutter" approach was employed (Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cincinnati), Minneapolis, St. Louis, the fundamental shapes of the playing fields made the stadium inadequate to the needs of either sport. The upper deck was very high, making for steep climbs by event attendees and adding to its cavernous feel. By the 1990s, the use of multiple low-bid contractors in its construction began to show, as parts of the concrete began to turn differing shades of brown.

Related Topics:
Pirates - Steelers - Philadelphia - Atlanta - Cincinnati - Minneapolis - St. Louis

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The stadium did have its moments of glory and drama, however. The Pirates won the 1971 and 1979 World Series while playing here, upsetting the favored Baltimore Orioles in both series. The 1971 World Series featured the first night game in World Series history (Game 4). Roberto Clemente ended his career while playing here, garnering 3,000 hits, before his death in a plane crash while bringing earthquake relief supplies. Slugger Willie Stargell established himself as a fan favorite. The Steelers fielded what was arguably the greatest NFL team of all time, culminating in four trophies for the 1970's with wins in Super Bowl IX, Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. The Steelers, coached by Chuck Noll, featured quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running back Franco Harris, receiver Lynn Swann, and defender "Mean" Joe Greene, who anchored the "Steel Curtain." The so-called "Immaculate Reception" play occurred here, in a 1972 AFC playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. In the 1990's the Steelers, coached by Bill Cowher, again made the Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXX), only to lose to the Dallas Cowboys. One of the biggest upsets in NFL history occurred on January 15, 1995, when the San Diego Chargers scored a last-second goal line stand and upset the Steelers in the AFC championship game, 17-13, negating a stellar performance by quarterback Neil O'Donnell.

Related Topics:
1971 - 1979 - World Series - Baltimore Orioles - Night game - Roberto Clemente - Earthquake - Willie Stargell - Super Bowl IX - Super Bowl X - Super Bowl XIII - Super Bowl XIV - Chuck Noll - Quarterback - Terry Bradshaw - Running back - Franco Harris - Receiver - Lynn Swann - Defender - "Mean" Joe Greene - Steel Curtain - Immaculate Reception - AFC - Oakland Raiders - Bill Cowher - Super Bowl XXX - Dallas Cowboys - 1995 - San Diego Chargers - Neil O'Donnell

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Three Rivers Stadium was imploded on February 11, 2001. The Pirates moved into a baseball-specific facility, PNC Park, situated farther east on the north bank of the Allegheny River. The Steelers later that year moved into Heinz Field, a facility built less than 50 feet (15 m) from where Three Rivers stood. During the implosion, special precautions were taken to prevent damage to the still-under-construction Heinz Field.

Related Topics:
February 11 - 2001 - Pirates - PNC Park - Allegheny River - Steelers - Heinz Field

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