For more than a decade, the afternoon sunlight pouring through the enormous glass doors at AT&T Stadium has been both a stunning visual feature for photographers and a frustrating obstacle for wide receivers.
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for Sunday’s home opener against the Washington Commanders, fans hoping the organization will finally find a permanent solution to the stadium’s infamous glare may once again be disappointed after owner Jerry Jones offered an update that suggested no immediate changes are coming.
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The controversy surrounding AT&T Stadium’s blinding sunlight intensified after the venue served as a host stadium for the FIFA World Cup. To comply with soccer’s governing body’s requirements and ensure the playing surface did not have inconsistent areas of sunlight and shade, stadium officials installed temporary tinting on the windows and used blackout coverings over the massive glass doors on the west end of the building.
The temporary setup received widespread praise from players, broadcasters, and fans because it successfully removed the troublesome glare while still preserving the stadium’s overall atmosphere and appearance.
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Jones also appeared interested in the results, acknowledging earlier in the offseason that the Cowboys’ front office was “giving thought” to making some form of permanent window tinting after witnessing how effectively the temporary measures handled the sunlight problem.
However, during his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Jones confirmed that Cowboys fans should not expect any window-tinting changes or blackout modifications for this weekend’s game against Washington.
“I don’t know about any hints or surprising fans with window-tinting at all,” Jones said. “I don’t know of any plans.”
Since AT&T Stadium opened its doors in 2009, the massive venue has maintained an east-to-west orientation. As a result, during late-afternoon games in the fall, the setting sun can shine directly into the vision of players trying to follow passes, punts, and kicks near the west end zone.
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Although the stadium was constructed with retractable curtains that can be used to block out the sunlight, Jones has famously chosen not to use them during Cowboys home games. That decision has repeatedly generated criticism over the years, including from some of Dallas’ own prominent players who have experienced the glare firsthand.
As the Cowboys get ready to host Washington, the sunlight is once again expected to become a familiar factor during the afternoon matchup. With neither the retractable curtains nor permanent tinting expected to be used, Dak Prescott, Dallas’ receivers, and Washington’s defensive backs will once again have to deal with one of professional football’s more unusual stadium-related challenges.
The post Jerry Jones’ Blunt Admission Reveals True Stance on Cowboys Stadium Issue appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
