Imagine trying to catch a football when the sun's blinding glare turns your world into a white-hot mess. That's the reality Dallas Cowboys receivers face during late afternoon games at AT&T Stadium, and while the team acknowledges the issue, the debate over how to handle it rages on. Is it a genuine competitive disadvantage, or just an unavoidable part of playing in a stadium with massive, sun-catching windows?
Since the Cowboys moved into their Arlington home in 2009, the infamous 120-foot-tall sliding-glass doors have been a source of both architectural pride and player frustration. The setting sun, particularly during this time of year, streams directly through these doors, creating a blinding glare that can impact visibility on the field. This Sunday marks the Cowboys' first late-afternoon game at AT&T Stadium this season, bringing the sun issue back into the spotlight.
When questioned about the potential problems, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer responded with a dose of sarcasm, revealing that the team has a detailed "plan" in place to mitigate the sun's effects. "Hey, look, if you guys could see the process and the plan we have in place to figure it out," he quipped. "We have satellite imaging. We have pictures of the sun, when it’s coming down. There’s a big plan and process." Schottenheimer downplayed the impact, adding that, "historically at what’s happened it really hasn’t affected many situations. We plan for it. The opponents plan for it. But at the end of the day, it’s something that we’re aware of. It’s very beautiful. It’s majestic when the sun comes through there."
But here's where it gets controversial... While Schottenheimer describes the sunlight as "majestic," many Cowboys receivers likely have a less poetic term for it. Over the years, several crucial plays have been affected by the sun's glare.
For example, in a 2017 game against the Chiefs, Dez Bryant and Brice Butler both cited the sun as a reason for missed catches. Cedrick Wilson couldn't even see a pass thrown his way during a 2021 playoff game against the 49ers. Michael Gallup dropped a potential touchdown pass against the Eagles in 2022 because of the glare. And last season, CeeDee Lamb, wide open in the end zone against the Eagles, admitted he "couldn’t see the ball" due to the blinding sunlight.
Lamb's frustration boiled over, leading him to suggest installing curtains to cover the windows during late-afternoon games. This seemingly reasonable suggestion was met with a fiery response from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who dismissed the sun as an issue. "Let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one. Are you kidding me?" Jones retorted, showcasing his unwillingness to acknowledge the problem.
And this is the part most people miss... AT&T Stadium's unique southwest-northeast axis contributes to the problem. It's one of only two NFL stadiums built on this alignment, and it's the only one with a transparent southwest end zone, maximizing the sun's impact during those crucial late-afternoon hours.
Even Commanders coach Dan Quinn, who served as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator from 2021-2023, knows what his team is up against. "Yeah, this time of year it could come into effect," Quinn acknowledged. "You want to make good decisions when you can, regarding where . . . a glare would be. So, yeah, it’s definitely something that as a coach I think about and obviously we’ll talk to the team about. But, yeah, you’re on it." Quinn's comments suggest that the sun is indeed a factor that coaches consider when strategizing.
So, what's the solution? Is it time for Jerry Jones to reconsider his stance and explore options like temporary curtains or window tinting? Or should players simply adapt and learn to play through the glare? Is it just a matter of home-field advantage, or is it an unfair disadvantage that needs to be addressed? Is the beauty of the stadium worth the on-field struggles it creates? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
