Jim Harbaugh, who previously coached the San Francisco 49ers and now leads the Los Angeles Chargers, has been known for his attention to detail.
Back during his time with the 49ers, Harbaugh raised concerns about Levi’s Stadium, specifically the positioning of the team’s benches, which were exposed to the sun. According to radio broadcaster Andrew Siciliano, Harbaugh wasn’t shy about his opinion when he toured the new stadium, famously stating, “I’m staring into the sun, and my players are going to melt.”
His concerns were initially brushed off, but Harbaugh’s insistence led to the team eventually relocating their bench to the shaded side of the field.
It’s a small detail, but one that Harbaugh felt was crucial for player welfare. This issue of sunlight exposure came into play once again, but this time at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is facing heat for brushing off sun-exposure concerns at AT&T Stadium
In a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb found himself struggling with the blinding sunlight during a crucial second-quarter play. Lamb lost track of a perfectly thrown pass from backup quarterback Cooper Rush, which would have been a touchdown and could have helped the Cowboys close the gap.
After the game, Lamb didn’t hesitate to express his frustration, saying, “Yes, 1,000%,” when asked if he would support installing curtains to block the sun.
However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wasn’t receptive to Lamb’s suggestion. Despite the fact that AT&T Stadium already uses curtains for events like concerts and ceremonies, Jones dismissed the idea, calling it a “home-field advantage” instead.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on not having curtains at AT&T Stadium to block the sun during games: "Of all the things that we need to improve, that is way down the list of improvement. That stadium was built to feel like you're outdoors.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 12, 2024
"It's the largest air…
He argued that the stadium was designed to feel like an outdoor environment, and that certain factors, like the sun’s position, were simply part of the game.
Jones further downplayed the issue, referencing the Cowboys’ former offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, who had reportedly consulted weather experts to determine when the sun would be most problematic.
For Jones, the idea of adjusting the stadium’s design seemed unnecessary, and he reaffirmed his belief that the stadium was more of an asset than a liability.
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Despite the disagreement, it’s clear that stadium conditions are becoming an increasing point of conversation in the NFL. As teams continue to look for any edge they can get, how stadiums are designed and how players are affected by their environments could play a bigger role in future discussions about home-field advantages.
Whether or not Jerry Jones will eventually reconsider the issue remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jim Harbaugh’s call for player protection from the elements might be ahead of its time.