CeeDee Lamb expressed his frustration after an incompletion during a recent game against the Philadelphia Eagles, which ended with a disappointing score of 34-6 for the Dallas Cowboys. Lamb felt he lost track of the ball due to the sun’s glare while running a crossing route in the end zone, which ultimately hindered the Cowboys’ chances of scoring a crucial touchdown before halftime.
The incident sparked further frustration from Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who was irritated by the ongoing discussion about the stadium’s sun issues. AT&T Stadium, which cost $1.2 billion to construct, features a design that allows sunlight to shine through its glass doors, notably impacting games during afternoon kickoffs. The east-west orientation of the stadium creates particularly challenging conditions for players on sunny days.
Lamb, who recently signed a lucrative four-year contract extension worth $136 million, was vocal about the need for potential solutions, suggesting the installation of curtains to mitigate the sun’s interference. He commented, “I couldn’t see the ball. Couldn’t see the ball, at all. The sun.” Jones, however, has consistently dismissed the idea of curtains, stating that all teams are aware of the sun’s position in the stadium and that the focus should be on performance rather than environmental factors.
The Cowboys are currently struggling with a four-game losing streak, and questions loom over the availability of quarterback Dak Prescott, who might need season-ending surgery for a torn hamstring. This loss adds to a troubling trend, as the Cowboys have now dropped five consecutive games at home, which is further complicated by the presence of multiple turnovers.
In light of the recent challenges, head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of minimizing turnovers for future success, acknowledging the team’s need to improve regardless of external factors like the weather.
While the current situation looks grim for the Cowboys, there remains hope that they can turn their performance around, especially with the upcoming Thanksgiving game against the New York Giants. With the right adjustments and a focus on execution, the Cowboys could emerge from this challenging period stronger and more cohesive as a team.
This situation serves as a reminder that while external factors like stadium design can pose challenges, the core issues often lie within performance and strategy, which can be improved with focused training and teamwork.