Top 5 Pontiac Silverdome Sports Moments
By Ty Duffy
Forty years after it opened, the Pontiac Silverdome is set to be demolished. The Detroit Lions left in 2002, the roof was destroyed, and the MLS expansion club never materialized. The property was more valuable without it.
Michiganders don’t have much affection for the stadium. Not much of local sports note happened there. The Detroit Pistons hit their apex after leaving. The Lions were the Lions for a few decades. Fond memories probably involve a high school football championship.
But, the stadium was notable as a very large events venue. It was the Jerry Dome of the 1970s and 1980s. Here are the top five moments that didn’t involve the Pope or a rock concert.
Super Bowl XVI: The San Francisco 49ers held off the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 to win their first Super Bowl. Joe Montana won the MVP.
Wrestlemania III: Hulk Hogan defeated Andre the Giant in the 1987 Main Event. It held the record for largest crowd at an indoor sporting event until the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.
1994 World Cup: Eric Wynalda equalized in the 45th minute on a free kick and the USMNT drew Switzerland 1-1, their first point earned at the World Cup since 1950.
Lions 38-6 Cowboys: Eric Kramer completed 29/38 for 341 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions beat the Cowboys 38-6, advancing to the NFC Championship game after the 1991 season. This is the only Lions playoff win since the 1957 NFL Championship.
1988 NBA Finals: The Pistons won two of their three home games to head back to Los Angeles with a 3-2 lead. The Lakers won the final two games, by a combined four points, with Isiah Thomas playing on a bum ankle in Game 7.