Largest U.S. preseason crowds

[Andrew McKillop]

I'm not sure why the NFL, Rams, or the media can't get this right. Last night's Cowboys-Rams game was NOT the largest-ever attended preseason game in U.S. history.

There were three Chicago College All-Star Games that had attendance of over 100,000 (1942, 1947, 1948). Also, the 1950 Redskins-Rams L.A. Times Charity Game played in the Coliseum had a reported crowd of 95,625.

Even in the Super Bowl era there was once a preseason game that topped last night's attendance. In 1982, the Patriots-Steelers played before 93,251 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN.

[TodMaher]

I count 15 games with a larger US attendance:

105,840 8/22/1947 College All-Star Game
101,200 8/20/1948 College All-Star Game
101,103 8/28/1942 College All-Star Game
98,203 8/28/1941 College All-Star Game
97,380 8/23/1946 College All-Star Game
95,625 8/16/1950 Redskins at Rams
93,818 8/14/1953 College All-Star Game
93,780 8/12/1949 College All-Star Game
93,740 8/13/1954 College All-Star Game
93,251 8/14/1982 Steelers vs Patriots at Knoxville, TN
92,800 9/13/1946 Bears at Eagles
92,753 8/30/1945 College All-Star Game
92,180 8/17/1951 College All-Star Game
91,985 8/15/1951 Redskins at Rams
90,218 9/13/1945 Packers at Eagles

[Mark L. Ford]

If nothing else, it's safe to say that it got the highest gate receipts for a preseason NFL game. Not to mention the best-attended Los Angeles Rams game this century.

[Andrew McKillop]

Thanks for putting out that list Tod. I'm still not sure how or why all of those games have been essentially forgotten.

If nothing else, it's safe to say that it got the highest gate receipts for a preseason NFL game. Not to mention the best-attended Los Angeles Rams game this century.

I'm curious what the fan response will be now that the bow has been untied. Decades from now this still might be the best-attended Los Angeles Rams game this century.

[MatthewToy]

Not to mention the best-attended Los Angeles Rams game this century.

Seeing as it was the ONLY Los Angeles Rams game this century that's not saying much lol.

[TodMaher]

Here's my complete list of NFL game (regular season, playoffs and exhibitions) to draw 90,000 or more:

http://www.profootballarchives.com/nfl- ... rgest.html

[BD Sullivan]

Thanks for putting out that list Tod. I'm still not sure how or why all of those games have been essentially forgotten.

Because in the NFL's mind, anything that took place before Super Bowl I or even the 1970 merger never actually happened.