AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas was readied with closed curtains on Friday ahead of the highly anticipated boxing match between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul. The decision to close the curtains comes after recent sunlight interference affected Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb during a significant play, contributing to the team's loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
In the wake of the Cowboys' defeat, which ended with a score of 34-6, Lamb expressed strong support for the installation of curtains to mitigate the sun's impact during games. This suggestion highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the west-facing windows situated above the end zone, which have previously posed challenges during afternoon matchups. A notable instance occurred during the 2022 NFC Wild Card game, where another receiver, Cedrick Wilson, reported that the sun's glare prevented him from making a critical catch.
Despite feedback from players regarding the sunlight issues, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has consistently defended the stadium's design, emphasizing its intention to emulate an outdoor experience. "It was built to have the sunlight coming in," he remarked. The upcoming bin between Tyson and Paul, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET with streaming available on Netflix, is not the only event where the venue has utilized curtains. Reports indicate that blackout curtains have been employed for various occasions, including concerts and WrestleMania, indicating the venue's adaptability to light conditions for different events.
