Ground Breaking Marks the Return of NFL Football to Houston

Sinking shovels into a mound of earth in the middle of what is now the Astrodome parking lot, officials broke ground Thursday on the stadium for Houston’s new NFL team.

"Houston was missing something," said team owner Bob McNair, who spoke over the roar of hundreds of eager fans. McNair joined NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, former Oilers and city officials at the morning rally.

The $367 million, retractable-roof stadium is slated to be finished in 2002, just in time for the team’s first season.

Houston has been without football since the Oilers moved to Tennessee after the 1996 season.