The Dallas Cowboys’ season has gone from dismal to downright surreal as even the sun has become an unexpected nemesis for America’s Team. Fresh off a humbling 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys not only grappled with glaring issues on the field but also quite literally with a glaring sun off it.
On Monday, during head coach Mike McCarthy’s press conference at the Cowboys’ headquarters in Frisco, staff members resorted to positioning a sun shield to block the sunlight from his face. This distraction seemed to mirror the team’s larger struggles, as fans and media watched the odd scene unfold. A simple, unaddressed issue like sunlight, which similarly impacted star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb during Sunday’s game, is now casting long shadows on the Cowboys’ credibility.
Owner Jerry Jones has previously dismissed concerns about the sun at AT&T Stadium, which shines directly into players’ sightlines during afternoon games. However, this week saw the issue take center stage after Lamb was visibly affected, missing a potential touchdown pass while battling a glare in the first half. His postgame request for stadium curtains highlights a growing frustration among both players and fans with the Cowboys’ inability to address even controllable elements that affect their game.
The sun is causing a glare in the Cowboys press conference room.
So there’s a shield to block the sun from Mike McCarthy’s face.
Novel concept. pic.twitter.com/BKxp0Wn0I3
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) November 11, 2024
Many believe this oversight is a symptom of a larger problem. Jones’ prioritization of spectacle over function has already come under fire, and this unusual press conference incident only reinforced that perception. The Cowboys are now 3-6, a record that mirrors a season filled with avoidable pitfalls and distractions that seem to reflect Jones’ focus on the image rather than operational efficiency. While their on-field performance has suffered from numerous challenges, the Cowboys are increasingly viewed as unprepared to handle even the basics off the field.
The Cowboys’ struggles with the sun, both figuratively and literally, have now entered the public discourse and become a symbol of the franchise’s larger failings. Fans are asking whether Jones will finally reconsider his stance on the stadium’s sun glare issue, especially given its repeated interference with gameplay. Until then, Dallas appears fated to struggle in both the shadow of their challenges and the relentless light of the Texas sun.
