With memorabilia gutted from the Astrodome interior sold and demolition of the historic building likely on the horizon after a failed vote to save the former Eighth Wonder of the World, one group is making a last stand to preserve the Houston landmark.
Using the phrase "come and take it" that was etched into a flag flown during the Battle of Gonzales --the first battle of the Texas Revolution against Mexico-- Houstorian.org is using the words from history in an act of defiance against the likely fate of the Astrodome and has even made a T-shirt to help spread the message.
For those unfamiliar with Texas history, the Come and Take It flag was created as a symbol of defiance from a group of Texans in 1835 in response to the Mexican officials who were attempting to seize a cannon from the colony of Gonzales, Texas. Instead of handing over the weapon, the Texans made a white flag with the image of lone black star and the cannon with "come and take it" sewed on it, flying it over the colony as Mexican troops arrived to forcibly take the cannon. The group of Texan defenders won the small battle, and the phrase has been a sign of Texan pride since that day.
The T-shirt takes away the canon, replacing it with the image of the Astrodome.
The Rowdy Gentleman, an Austin-based men's clothing line even sent their own colorized version of the shirts to members of the Houston Texans, according to backup quarterback T.J. Yates' photo in front of the Astrodome posted on Twitter, to help get the movement started.
S/o to @RowdyGentleman for the Astrodome "Come and Take It" shirts for me and the guys! pic.twitter.com/i0A56nJIRv
— T.J. Yates (@TJ_Yates) December 2, 2013
While the "come and take it" Astrodome shirt won't spark a battle on the ground against demolition crews, it is still a nice gesture showing some fans aren't willing to see the historic 'Dome go down without a fight.
If only more voters in favor turning the building into a massive convention center would have shown up to the polls in November, the fate of the Astrodome could have had a different turnout, after all, that is where the "battle" was fought.
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
