Even in the sports paradise of America, sunlight is a fearsome enemy in the National Football League (NFL), where the most athletic players compete.
The Dallas Cowboys lost 6-34 in their home game against the Philadelphia Eagles held at AT&T Stadium on the 11th (Korean time).
Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb received a lot of criticism for missing a crucial touchdown pass at the end of the second quarter.
Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb cited sunlight as the reason for not receiving a pass. Photo = ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
A mistake unbecoming of a three-time Pro Bowl player, he blamed external factors in an on-field interview.
In an interview with local media after the game, he said, “I couldn’t see the ball. “The sunlight was the problem,” he said, adding that he could not see the ball in the sunlight.
It may sound like an excuse, but considering the unique structure of AT&T Stadium, it is an understandable complaint.
AT&T Stadium’s end zones are oriented east-west, unlike most stadiums, which are oriented north-south.
The stadium is in the form of a dome with a retractable roof, but there are large glass windows installed at both ends, so it is likely to be obstructed by the setting sun, especially when games are played in the afternoon.
Sunlight streaming in through the glass window behind the end zone at AT&T Stadium. Photo = ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
When asked if he wanted a screen to be installed on the glass, Lam responded, “I agree 1000 percent.”
After hearing the player’s words through reporters, Jerry Jones, who is both the team’s owner and general manager, said, “So you’re saying we should tear down the existing stadium and build a new one? He gave a cold answer, “Are you kidding me?”
He said, “By the way, we know which direction the sun is when we decide sides by flipping a coin. “It means we know which direction the sun is in our stadium,” he said, emphasizing that we are playing under favorable conditions.
He continued, “The conditions are the same for everyone. “All teams deal with the same problems here,” he said, raising his voice.
It is not at all understandable that owner Jones responds sensitively to complaints about the stadium environment. AT&T Stadium, which opened in May 2009, was built because Jones invested most of the stadium construction costs. For this reason, it is nicknamed ‘Jerry’s World’.
[피츠버그(미국)= 김재호 MK스포츠 특파원]
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