Super Bowl 49 from A to Z
By Will Osgood
U
University of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ is revolutionary for a number of reasons. First, as far as research or memory takes me, it is the only professional sports venue named after/sponsored by a university.
Sure in the past teams have played on university campuses. But the University of Phoenix is not so much a campus as multi-campus school accessible in many locales. And unlike those other examples, it does not have a football team.
It is revolutionary for other reasons, though. It was the first stadium, and as far as I know it remains the only, to employ a retractable field. Yes, field, not roof, though it has that too. The field is kept out in the beautiful Phoenix sun most of the year then wheeled into the stadium for games.
For more interesting tidbits and factoids about the stadium, click here.
It opened before the 2006 NFL season, and hosted Super Bowl XLII, which also featured the New England Patriots with Belichick, Brady and Josh McDaniel’s final game as offensive coordinator, until he returned to that post, which he again holds. The Giants won that game partially because of the greatest catch in Super Bowl history by David Tyree.
The rather iconic stadium has also hosted every Fiesta Bowl since opening, including the epic Boise State upset of Oklahoma, the first Fiesta Bowl played at the stadium.
In addition, it hosted Wrestlemania XXVI on February 24, 2009.
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