The Dallas Cowboys are set to play an international game today for the first time since 2014. But while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is looking forward to a win, he is not looking forward to giving up a home game for the chance.
Appearing on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday, Jones admitted being disappointed in having to give up one of the team’s nine home games as the designated home team in Brazil for the game against the Baltimore Ravens. He said that while he likes international games and intends to keep supporting them, he wishes it didn’t come at his team’s expense.
“Well, you pay a price,” Jones said. “But that’s the price we’re paying to create and sustain the interest internationally. And that creates a lot of interest in television. That gives us another place to show our games during the Sunday morning of the week. And so all of this is good. I’m in complete agreement with how we’re developing and doing our international games. But I don’t like it when it takes one of your home games away. That’s no good.”
But Jones also said that he is still looking forward to the next opportunity for his Cowboys to play a game in Mexico. Though he still hopes that the Cowboys won’t have to give up a home game to do so.
It might be an easier pill to swallow if the Cowboys manage to get the win over the Ravens today, particularly without any significant injuries.
Field Conditions in Rio
The controversy surrounding the Cowboys-Ravens game in Brazil centered on the condition of the playing surface at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium. In the weeks before Sunday’s game, the field had developed visible patches and uneven areas after heavy use by Brazilian soccer clubs Flamengo and Fluminense, compounded by unusually heavy rainfall.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Flamengo players publicly criticized the surface, with goalkeeper Agustín Rossi saying there were “bumps everywhere” and midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta saying the field was getting progressively worse. Their complaints raised concerns about traction, player safety and whether the surface was suitable for an NFL game.
The NFL Players Association subsequently became involved. Executive director JC Tretter said union experts were concerned about loose turf causing excessive slipping and recommended reinforcing the grass. The NFL brought in specialized equipment to stitch synthetic fibers into the field to improve stability and traction, while its grounds crew worked on the surface throughout the week.
The league ultimately said the field had passed inspections involving an independent inspector and an NFLPA representative and was safe for Sunday’s game.
