Among the many peculiarities surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ performance on and off the field, one problem that continues to draw attention isn’t the team itself-but the blinding sun inside their home stadium.
Dallas Cowboys owner and players embarrassed after historic loss
AT&T Stadium, a $1.3 billion structure built in 2009, has a design flaw that has frustrated fans and players alike for years. Unlike most NFL stadiums, it was built facing east to west, and its large window on one end zone has become notorious for creating issues during sunny game days. When the light pours in, it can blind players and affect key moments in the game.
That glaring flaw made yet another appearance during the Cowboys’ humiliating 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions last weekend. The sun’s interference left players squinting and struggling, and fans in disbelief. But, as it turns out, this is a problem that could easily be solved-if the Cowboys’ owner actually cared to do something about it.
The solution is straightforward: use the massive blackout curtains that the stadium already has. Yes, that’s right-the stadium is equipped with curtains specifically designed to prevent this exact issue. However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stubbornly refused to deploy them during games, keeping the curtains closed and allowing the sunlight to wreak havoc on the field.
Jones isn’t buying into this theory
Jones has previously made his stance crystal clear. “I’ve got bigger things to worry about than a little sunshine,” Jones said in a 2022 radio interview when pressed about the issue. For him, dealing with a bit of sunlight seems to be far down the list of priorities-even if it continues to negatively impact his team.
Interestingly enough, the curtains have been used in other events at the stadium. Major concerts, including some of the biggest names in music, and even the WWE’s WrestleMania, saw the curtains drawn to block out the light. For Jones, however, the game-day tradition of letting the sun blind his players seems more important.
The Cowboys may struggle on the field, but Jones’ unwillingness to address this simple fix raises serious questions. Is this just another example of the team’s long history of head-scratching decisions, or does the owner truly believe that something as simple as a little sunlight doesn’t matter?
One thing is certain: as long as Jerry Jones remains adamant about this, the Cowboys’ opponents will continue to have an unexpected advantage whenever the Texas sun is shining brightly.
