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Punt hits 'world's largest' HD screen in Cowboys-Titans game

NFL, Dallas Cowboys must decide if the digital screens will be an interference in future football games.

August 23, 2009

Much has been made of the installation of four Mitsubishi Diamond Vision screens at the Dallas Cowboys new football stadium. But Friday night, the screens received a different kind of attention.

During a preseason match versus the Tennessee Titans, the inaugural game at the new stadium, Titan's punter A.J. Trapasso hit one of the screens with a booming punt. Gameplay continued as the officiating crew seemed not to notice the contact. But Titans coach Jeff Fisher immediately threw the red challenge flag, although the play was deemed unreviewable.

The screens hang 90 feet above the field and span from one 20-yard line to the other in width.

The incident brings up an interesting conundrum for the Cowboys organization and owner Jerry Jones, who spent more than $40 million on the screens as part of the $1.2 billion construction of the new stadium.

According to ESPN.com, Jones is reluctant to raise the boards, which would cost an estimated $2 million.

As for now, when the ball hits the screen the play will be considered a do-over until the NFL Competition Committee can decide on how to handle the situation.