The anticipation for the boxing match between internet sensation Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson reached fever pitch on Friday night at the AT&T Stadium, where curtains were drawn to block out the glaring sunlight. While this decision made perfect sense for the fight, it sparked significant debate and frustration among Dallas Cowboys fans who find themselves questioning why such measures weren’t taken during the Cowboys’ recent games.
Located in Arlington, Texas, the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, has become infamous for its unique design, which includes large glass windows at the west end zone. These windows often let bright sunlight flood the field during games, causing visibility problems for players. Recently, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb experienced firsthand how disruptive the sun can be, commenting after the Cowboys' unfortunate 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles: “I was blinded by the light.”
The curtain controversy began to swirl as images surfaced of the stadium setting for the Tyson-Paul bout, with the curtains employed simply to keep the sun out on fight night, leading many to scratch their heads. Fans took to social media to point out the irony: why was AT&T Stadium taking steps to mitigate sun glare for boxing but not during NFL games?
The Cowboys have played their home games at AT&T Stadium since 2009, and issues related to sun glare have popped up on multiple occasions. For example, during the 2022 NFC Wild Card game, receiver Cedrick Wilson also attributed his inability to catch the ball to the sunlight streaming through the windows.
Despite regular complaints from players and fans alike about these problems, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, has previously shrugged off calls for curtains, insisting he wants the stadium to maintain its unique atmosphere. "The stadium was built to have sunlight coming in," he said. "It’s part of our home-field advantage!" Those sentiments were expressed somewhat sarcastically after the recent games. "Well, let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one? You kidding me?" he quipped during an interview, indicating he’d prefer to keep things as they are.
Yet, when it came to the Tyson-Paul fight, Jones seemed to take the opportunity to shut the curtains. On 105.3 The Fan, he humorously dismissed the notion of closing the curtains for Cowboys games, stating, “Netflix, particularly, didn’t want them to have the curtains.” This has understandably led to more confusion among the fans.
It’s clear why Jones wanted to make the event comfortable for the fighters and spectators. Adjusting the atmosphere for such high-profile events is key to ensuring everyone has the best experience possible. After all, this fight is expected to attract massive viewership, being streamed live on Netflix—a significant step for sports broadcasting.
The fight itself marks Tyson's foray back to boxing since his 2005 bout, where his age (58) collides with Paul’s youthful presence at just 27 years old. This is noteworthy not just because of the incredible 31-year age gap but also due to the attention the event has drawn across social media, particularly from both fighters' vast fanbases.
With all the chatter surrounding the curtains, one could question the practicality of the decision. Is it really fair to prioritize these measures for boxing and ignore long-standing issues with glare during football season? Fans at AT&T Stadium and those watching from home are left to ponder what seems to be unequal treatment for different sports.
The atmosphere of anticipation surrounding the fight could not be more charged, evoking sentiments from many boxing fans about the distinct environments of the two sports. Lamb’s comments resonate beyond the field, showcasing how athletes perceive and address their environments—an integral aspect of sports performance.
The boxing match, scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. ET, is not just about the two fighters; it encapsulates broader themes of sports visibility, venue management, and how events are promoted. Will boxing’s light adjustments lead to changes for future Cowboys games? Only time will tell.
For those planning to catch the action, they can expect to see Tyson and Paul square off for the first time ever—a moment long awaited by boxing and social media fans alike. Both fighters are bringing their A-game, with Tyson revving up to showcase what has been called one of his more potent performances since stepping back from the ring.
There’s certainly no lack of drama surrounding AT&T Stadium, and whether or not the curtains stay for future Cowboys games now remains to be seen, but as fans await the outcome of Paul vs. Tyson, this fight will undoubtedly keep the spotlight on the Cowboys’ home.”
