Debris falls from roof at home of Cowboys before game against Texans

By The Associated Press on November 18, 2024.

The roof is seen open at AT&T Stadium prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – A piece of the roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys fell to the field while the retractable portion of it was being opened at least three hours before a game against Houston on Monday night, officials said.

AT&T Stadium was mostly empty when the incident occurred, and team officials said nobody was injured. The roof was closed without incident about an hour later.

Officials said winds gusting to almost 50 kilometres per hour during the day contributed to the incident, which was being reviewed to ensure the roof can be opened safely at some point in the future. The roof hasn’t been opened for a Cowboys game since the 2022 season.

The arches that support the roof are 90 metres above the field at their highest point. The 80,000-seat venue opened in 2009.

The falling debris came a little more than a week after Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb said the sun was in his eyes on a throw he didn’t react to in the end zone in a 34-6 loss to Philadelphia.

AT&T Stadium has an unusual east-west alignment from end zone to end zone, as opposed to most venues being north-south. On clear days, the sun shines through the large glass windows on the west side during the first half of games that kick off in the afternoon.

There is usually a call for curtains on the west side of the stadium when the sun becomes an issue, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he won’t put up curtains. He says both teams have to deal with the sun.

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