Here’s a bold statement: the sun at AT&T Stadium isn’t just a natural wonder—it’s a game-changer, and not always in a good way. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones brushes it off, players and coaches know the late afternoon glare is more than just a scenic inconvenience. It’s a recurring challenge that’s left receivers cursing under their breath and coaches scrambling for solutions.
Since the Cowboys moved to Arlington in 2009, the 120-foot-tall sliding-glass doors have turned the stadium into a sunlit spectacle—beautiful, yes, but also problematic. This Sunday marks their first late-afternoon home game of the season, and the spotlight is on coach Brian Schottenheimer to address how his players will handle the blinding light. His response? A mix of sarcasm and reassurance. “We have satellite imaging, pictures of the sun’s trajectory—there’s a whole plan in place,” Schottenheimer said, via Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press. “Historically, it hasn’t affected many situations, but we’re aware of it. It’s majestic when the sun comes through there.” Majestic? Tell that to the receivers who’ve missed crucial catches because of it.
And this is the part most people miss: the glare isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a documented game-changer. In 2017, Dez Bryant and Brice Butler blamed missed catches on the sun during a game against the Chiefs. In 2021, Cedrick Wilson never saw a pass in a postseason game against the 49ers. Michael Gallup dropped a touchdown pass against the Eagles in 2022, and last season, CeeDee Lamb was wide open in the end zone but admitted, “I couldn’t see the ball.” Lamb even suggested covering the windows with curtains, prompting Jones to snap, “Let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one. Are you kidding me?”
What makes AT&T Stadium unique—and problematic—is its design. It’s one of only two NFL stadiums built on a southwest-northeast axis, with a transparent southwest end zone. This architectural marvel doubles as a liability when the sun dips low in the sky. Commanders coach Dan Quinn, who served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2021-23, knows the drill. “This time of year, it could come into effect,” he said, via Ben Standig of TheAthletic.com. “It’s something I think about as a coach, and we’ll talk to the team about it.”
Here’s the real question: Is the sun’s glare an unavoidable quirk of AT&T Stadium’s design, or should the Cowboys take more drastic measures to fix it? Should players just adapt, or is it time for curtains, retractable shades, or even a stadium redesign? Let’s spark some debate—what do you think? Is the sun’s glare a legitimate issue, or are players and coaches overreacting? Share your thoughts in the comments!
