As if the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have enough challenges on Sundays, they are now dealing with an issue that has sparked controversy and could easily be addressed: the sun glare at AT&T Stadium. This problem, which has been a recurring topic among players and fans, was brought to light once again on the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, hosted by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
During the episode, Travis Kelce shared his experience playing at AT&T Stadium and how the design of the stadium allows the sun to shine directly into players’ faces, creating visibility issues. Despite only playing there once, Kelce vividly remembered the glare being a significant problem.
“Jerry Jones is still at war with the sun,” Travis Kelce said, referring to the Cowboys’ owner and his unwillingness to address the problem. “I’m not gonna lie, playing in that stadium, I had that problem before. That glare coming through the end zone in the afternoon is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. It’s like the glass makes it spread more. It’s like the sun is bigger and brighter than it’s ever been. I mean, I get it, you try not to let those things be an excuse, but holy man, I understand where CeeDee Lamb is coming from here.”
Jason Kelce, who played at AT&T Stadium annually as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, agreed with his brother’s take, pointing out how difficult it can be to deal with the sun’s glare during afternoon games.
The unique design of AT&T Stadium features large glass panels, which let in natural light but also cause severe glare issues for players on the field—particularly in the end zones. The bright sunlight makes it difficult for players to track the ball, which can ultimately impact the outcome of plays.
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The issue gained renewed attention after Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb mentioned that the sun’s glare affected his ability to see the ball during a recent game. Lamb stated that while he was in the end zone, the sun was so intense that he couldn’t see the ball properly. He openly supported the idea of adding curtains or some other solution to mitigate the sun’s effect during games, suggesting that such a measure would improve visibility and enhance player safety.
Despite the complaints from players like Lamb, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has remained adamant that the sun is not a significant problem for his team. In fact, Jones dismissed the notion of installing curtains or making changes to block the sun’s glare, suggesting that the sun could even be an advantage for the Cowboys.
“Well, let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one. You kidding me?” Jones said in response to the idea of making changes to block the sun. “Every team that comes in here has the same issues, they know where the sun’s going to be. We do know where the damn sun’s going to be at our own stadium.”
Jones’ comments reflect his stance that the stadium’s design is not something that needs to be altered, and that the sun is just part of the game. He believes that because the Cowboys are familiar with the conditions at AT&T Stadium, they should be better equipped to deal with the sun’s impact than visiting teams.
However, the sun glare issue has not only impacted visiting teams but has also been a problem for the Cowboys themselves. With Dallas currently sitting at a disappointing 3-6 record this season, the team has faced a number of challenges on the field, and the sun glare is just another factor adding to their struggles.
While it might not be the primary reason for their poor performance, it has certainly contributed to difficulties in executing plays and maintaining consistency, especially in critical moments.
The Cowboys’ playoff hopes appear slim at this point in the season, and the debate over the sun glare is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. For now, Jerry Jones seems unwilling to take any action to address the complaints, leaving players like CeeDee Lamb and others to deal with the challenging conditions at AT&T Stadium.
Whether or not the sun glare actually gives the Cowboys an advantage, as Jones believes, remains up for debate, but it’s clear that it has become a source of frustration for many.
As Travis Kelce highlighted in the podcast, the issue isn’t just about making excuses—it’s about ensuring that players are able to perform at their best without unnecessary obstacles.
With more players speaking out, perhaps Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization will eventually reconsider their stance and take steps to mitigate the sun glare, making AT&T Stadium a better environment for both home and visiting teams.
