Griffith Stadium
The brick-and-mortar birthplace of Washington football glory.
Griffith Stadium stands as the historic cradle of professional football in Washington, D.C., serving as the franchise's first dedicated home ground after relocating from Boston. Built originally for Major League Baseball, this brick-and-mortar venue was adapted to host the gridiron during a pivotal era when the team established its identity in the nation's capital. It represents a foundational chapter before the move to RFK Stadium.
- Location
- Washington, D.C. (Georgetown)
- NFL Tenure
- 1937–1960
- Demolition Year
- 1965
- Primary Original Use
- Baseball (Washington Senators)
- Notable Era
- Sammy Baugh and Digger Smith Years
Lore & Background
The era at Griffith was marked by grit and proximity. There were no modern amenities; instead, there were concrete steps, open-air stands, and a deep connection between the neighborhood of Georgetown and the players on the field. As the city grew in the 1950s, the stadium began to feel small, eventually leading to the transition to D.C. Stadium (RFK). Its demolition in 1965 marked the end of an era where football was played within walking distance of the city's heart.
In Their Own Story
The November air bit through wool coats as fans clambered up the concrete steps of Griffith. Below, the gridiron glowed under the harsh floodlights, white lines stark against the darkening grass. A cheer erupted from the lower bowl when the quarterback took the snap, the sound bouncing off the brick walls surrounding Georgetown. In that moment, smoke, cold breath, and roaring voices merged into a singular memory of Washington football before the suburbs called.
Reader's Guide
Stepping into Griffith Stadium meant entering a neighborhood fortress, not a modern arena. Located in Georgetown, the concrete stands rose steeply from the gridiron, placing fans uncomfortably close to the action. There were no luxury boxes or massive video boards; just brick walls echoing every tackle and cheer. Fans arrived by streetcar or early bus lines, gathering on chilly afternoons where breath misted in the air. The culture was intimate yet rowdy, defined by working-class Washingtonians who knew their players by name. Rituals were simple: arriving early to watch batting practice before kickoff, sharing thermos coffee with strangers huddled against the wind, and chanting for Sammy Baugh or Digger Smith as they lined up. The proximity meant hearing the snap count clearly, creating a shared tension in every play. This era shaped the identity of Washington football—gritty, local, and unapologetically loud before the franchise expanded into the suburbs and RFK Stadium. The stands were filled with the smoke of cigarettes and the smell of roasted peanuts, a sensory experience unique to mid-century America.
Did You Know?
- The last NFL game played at Griffith took place in December 1960.
- It hosted the franchise's first home games after moving from Boston to Washington.
- The site was demolished in 1965, with no physical structure remaining today.