Metrodome era ends with a Vikings victory

The Vikings and their fans said goodbye to team's home for the last 32 seasons. The final game in the Metrodome ended quietly with a 14-13 victory against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Bud Grant was the Vikings coach when the team first moved into the Metrodome, and he closed the stadium as part of a ceremony after the game.

Photos: Final curtain pulled at the Metrodome

"Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the memories everybody," Grant said. "Have a safe drive home. (whistle) Game Over!"

But it was Vikings veteran Matt Birk who might have described the Metrodome era best. The former center said his dad first brought him to the dome for his sixth birthday, shortly after it opened.

"As time went on, some people started pointing out what was wrong with this building. They said there weren't enough bathrooms. That the concourses weren't wide enough," said Birk. "But you know who really hated coming here? Other teams."

Those teams complained about the air, and the turf and the noise, Birk said. There were two World Series wins in the building by the Twins. And while the Vikings came close, they never made it back to the Super Bowl.

"And we'll admit that this stadium, although it might not be perfect, it was us," Birk said.

For Diane Thompson, of Eagan, Minn., and her best friend, Therese McElroy, of Chippewa Falls, Wisc., the Metrodome was a pair of seats just above the south end zone. Thompson said they came to Vikings games together for most of the Metrodome's history.

McElroy and Thompson got a little misty eyed as they watched the place empty out for the last time. Thompson took a picture of their seats.

"We are Vikings fans, sad to see it go. We're glad the Vikings are gonna be here," Thompson said.

The slightly wistful sentiment was the mood in the stands. But fans were there for the football, and they were ready for the next era as new stars like rookie Cordarrelle Patterson showed a glimpse of their potential on the field.

Fans left without a fuss, with the exception of some minor vandalism including a few missing fixtures and a purloined banner. It was nothing like the near-riot that ended the Metropolitan Stadium era in Bloomington in 1981.

Sunday afternoon fans took pictures and posted them on Facebook. They laughed as the air pressure that held the roof up blew them out the doors one last time, and they hoped next year would be better.

The Metrodome's iconic roof will come down on January 18th, followed by the rest of the building, according to Mortenson Construction's John Wood.

The new stadium, set to open in 2016, is already under construction in the parking lot, and Wood says it's been on schedule since the groundbreaking December 3rd.

For the next two seasons, the Vikings will play outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium before returning to downtown Minneapolis.