For the past 17 seasons, the Dallas Cowboys have called AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, their home. The venue is famous for its giant video board above the 50-yard line. Recently, it was temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium for hosting several World Cup matches.
During these soccer games, significant changes occur inside the retractable-roof arena. The American football features such as end zones, yard markers, and artificial turf are removed. However, one alteration stood out to Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer: the installation of curtains. These curtains block the notorious sunlight that often pours onto the natural grass field.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared his thoughts during a recent press conference. “I’m a big football fan internationally as well. Watching the World Cup has been exciting. I’ve joined others at The Star to enjoy live watch parties. They’re using shades to control the light, which changes the atmosphere. Our field feels different without the sun’s beams,” Schottenheimer remarked.
The sunlight issue has been a concern since the Cowboys settled into their billion-dollar stadium in 2009. During a 2017 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, receivers Dez Bryant and Brice Butler blamed the sun’s glare for their missed catches. Years later, in a 2021 playoff match against the San Francisco 49ers, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson struggled with a poorly visible pass. In a subsequent game, Michael Gallup couldn’t catch what might have been a touchdown pass, again likely due to the glare.
Schottenheimer humorously referred to this recurring problem as “majestic” while discussing it during his first season as head coach. “I’ve been here a while and have heard all about it. Our team has a meticulous process to deal with it. We use satellite imaging and pictures to track the sun’s path. Despite the detailed plans, we know that historically, the impact hasn’t been severe. We expect it, and so do our opponents,” Schottenheimer explained.
AT&T Stadium hosted its first World Cup game on June 14, seeing the Netherlands and Japan draw 1-1. Nicknamed “Jerry World” after Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones, the stadium hosted a second match where England beat Croatia 4-2. Curtains were used in both games and will return on June 22 when Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, faces Austria.