J.Mike's Missives

Going to an NFL stadium on gameday is, more times than not, about the players.

Well, today, as the Falcons prepare to take on the Cowboys, I can’t help but keep some amazed eyes on the stadium itself.

Let’s start with the bus ride to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

You catch a glimpse of this billion-dollar facility out on the horizon a good 10 minutes before you roll up to the front gate. It’s like driving into Denver from the east and gazing at the Rocky Mountains hours before you reach the foothills.

Once the Falcons buses arrived, things go interesting.

Normally the team exits the bus just outside the stadium or inside the loading dock. At Cowboys Stadium, buses snake through the inner halls and deliver the team at the locker room doors.

The walk to the field from the visitors locker room cuts through a fan lounge. Players are separated from opposing fans by barriers (and plenty of security) but it’s still an interesting home field advantage.

Then you get to the field and the giant scoreboard…

I’ll stop there because there’s a fine line between admiring a feat of architecture and giving too much love to the opposing team (not my goal). But, if you’re ever in the Dallas area, I’d recommend a tour.

This place is a work of art.

J. Michael Moore Gameday Cowboys Stadium, Dallas Cowboys, video