Hill’s comparison of Texas Stadium to an opera house is apt because, from the start, patrons weren’t the raucous types like the Cotton Bowl regulars.

From the bonds to the luxury suites, it took good money to be a die-hard fan. That’s still true, with Jones inviting the most privileged guests on the field several hours before kickoff.

Women treat it like a society ball, wearing their finest fur and shiniest diamonds. The scene used to drive Johnson bonkers. Rival coaches weren’t thrilled either.

“I was scared to death that someone would just get clobbered — and then whoever did the clobbering would get hurt,” said Mike Holmgren, who brought the Packers to Texas Stadium for some huge games in the 1990s and visited recently with the Seattle Seahawks. “(Now) I think you see more teams doing it. Heck, we do it. Everyone does it. It seemed like Jerry did those things first; I mean, he was a little bit ahead of the curve that way.”

———

Clint Longley. Leon Lett. George Teague. Of all the games and plays at Texas Stadium, those guys represent the most talked-about moments.

Longley was “The Mad Bomber,” a rookie from Abilene Christian who’d never thrown an NFL pass until he replaced Staubach against the rival Redskins on Thanksgiving 1974. He came in trailing 16-3 in the third quarter and led Dallas to a 24-23 victory with two touchdown passes, including a 50-yarder to Pearson with 28 seconds left.

The 1993 Thanksgiving game was going to be memorable simply because of a snowstorm. The Cowboys appeared to have beaten Miami 14-13 after blocking a last-minute field goal, then Lett inexplicably went sliding through the wintry mix and touched the ball. The Dolphins recovered, kicked again and won 16-14.

Teague’s scene came in 2000, when he “defended the star” with a blindsided hit on T.O. during his second midgame, midfield celebration.

“It just happened,” Teague said years later. “No regrets.”

———

Next season, the Cowboys will move into another new stadium in another suburb. The $1.1 billion, 100,000-seat palace in Arlington already has lured a Super Bowl, the Final Four and the NBA All-Star Game.

It will have a hole in its roof, too; a retractable one. That’s not even the most stunning part. Just wait until you see the high-def TVs hanging above the sidelines.

But first, two games remain at Texas Stadium: Sunday night against the Giants and next Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens. (Even if Dallas makes the playoffs, a home game is extremely unlikely.)

There’s still time for another great memory or two, perhaps even an unforgettable farewell.

Here’s an idea: When time runs out against the Ravens, a spotlight shines on Don Meredith’s name in the Ring of Honor. Then Dandy Don himself appears, clutching a microphone and crooning the ditty he used to sing on “Monday Night Football:”

“Turn out the lights, the party’s over ... “

Also on NBCSports.com PFT: Packers president admits he’s ‘disappointed’ CFT: By the numbers spotlights McCoy  |    Images College hoops: North Carolina will be scary good   Video: Red card? Some rough play in women's soccer Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Brady vs. Manning — who has the edge? Cimini: Patriots-Colts greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s     Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Playing 'what if?' with Peyton's career Report: Raiders want to fire coach Tom Cable Eagles-Bears matchup will remain Sunday night game PFT: Rest of league is catching up to Broncos PFT: Tomlinson hints at retiring after this season PFT: Ex-Packer Brown rips McCArthy PFT: Quinn reportedly will start for Browns again NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: