As the Dallas Cowboys suffered a deflating 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, a familiar issue reared its head at AT&T Stadium – the glaring sunlight streaming through the venue’s expansive windows. This time, the sun’s rays directly impacted the game, causing wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to drop what would have been a go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter.
With the Cowboys trailing 7-3 and facing a 2nd and goal from the Eagles’ 3-yard line, quarterback Cooper Rush had Lamb open in the end zone for an easy score. However, as the pass arrived, Lamb lost the ball in the blinding sun, resulting in an incompletion. Dallas had to settle for a field goal, and they would not score another point for the remainder of the game.
Lamb Calls for Stadium Curtains
Following the frustrating loss, Lamb expressed his desire for the Cowboys to address the stadium’s sun issue once and for all. When asked if he would be in favor of installing curtains at AT&T Stadium to block out the sunlight, Lamb responded emphatically, “Yes, 1,000 percent.”
The Cowboys’ star receiver even joked that the reporters should take up the cause for him, saying, “I mean y’all are doing my job right now.” Lamb’s comments underscore the ongoing frustration players experience when dealing with the challenging sun angles at certain times of day in AT&T Stadium.
Jones Resistant to Change
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, however, seemed less receptive to the idea of installing curtains. In a post-game interview, when the sun issue was brought up, Jones quipped, “Well, let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one? You kidding me?”
Jones went on to argue that every team faces the same challenges when playing at AT&T Stadium, stating, “Everybody’s got the same thing. Every team that comes in here has the same issues. They know where the sun’s going to be. Every team has the same thing.”
A Recurring Issue
This is not the first time the sun has been a storyline at AT&T Stadium. Since the venue opened in 2009, players and coaches have periodically complained about the difficulties of tracking the ball when the sun shines through the windows during afternoon games.
Despite these recurring complaints, Jones has remained steadfast in his reluctance to make significant changes to the stadium’s design. The Cowboys owner has consistently maintained that the sun affects both teams equally and that opponents are well aware of the issue when they come to play in Arlington.
Potential Solutions
While Jones may be hesitant to install permanent curtains, there are other potential solutions the Cowboys could explore to mitigate the sun’s impact on gameplay. These could include:
- Adjusting the kickoff time for games where the sun is known to be an issue
- Using temporary shades or screens to block the sunlight during problematic periods
- Applying glare-reducing coatings to the stadium’s windows
- Installing retractable roof panels to provide shade when needed
As the Cowboys move forward from this disappointing loss, it remains to be seen whether Lamb’s plea for curtains will gain traction within the organization. For now, the team will need to find ways to adapt to the unique challenges posed by their home stadium as they look to bounce back in the competitive NFC East.
