Grab your tissue boxes, because Falcons vs. Packers will be the final game in the Georgia Dome

We now know that next Sunday the Atlanta Falcons will take on the resurgent Green Bay Packers. The winner goes to the Super Bowl, while the loser is a cotton-headed ninny muggins. The venue is familiar to us all: The Georgia Dome.

The Dome has been the home of the Falcons since 1992. That’s a really long time, folks. And let’s be honest, 1992 was a funny time. Roseanne was America’s favorite sitcom, Atari was discontinued, and CDs outsold audiocassettes for the first time. Did I mention it was a leap year?

The Dome has seen its fair share of struggles. Its architects were ambitious in their vision, envisioning what would be the world’s largest cable-supported dome. Ultimately the roof would require major structural repair. A tornado in 2008 ripped open the roof during an SEC basketball game.

On some level we’ve already sent it out in style. Beloved Falcons alums attended the regular season finale. The crowd at yesterday’s thrilling Divisional Round victory was electric. But in the week ahead, as we look forward to a potential Super Bowl berth, let’s also keep our 25 year old home in mind. It’s been a great run, and for that, we’re eternally grateful.