Anytime the Dallas Cowboys host a playoff game at AT&T Stadium, it’s going to be a big deal. When the San Francisco 49ers are the opponent, that takes things up a notch given their heated history in the playoffs.
The stadium, which normally holds around 80,000 people, can expand for special events to a capacity closer to 100,000 thanks to a sizable standing-room-only section. That’s the case for Sunday’s Wild Card game between the Cowboys and 49ers. And for the fans desperate to get the best view possible in that first-come-first-serve section, the anticipation was intense, to say the least.
Around two hours before the game got going, the AT&T Stadium doors were opened and a literal fan stampede took place as people representing both squads races for the section. It’s something to behold.
AT&T Stadium doors have opened for Cowboys vs. 49ers pic.twitter.com/OtewlvaL82
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 16, 2022
The doors are open at AT&T Stadium pic.twitter.com/lJogmAmEBA
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) January 16, 2022
In the age of COVID, it’s quite a thing to see so many people packed together, running full speed, and bumping up against one another, all in the name of watching a football game. But even with that aside, the whole thing felt a bit weird to a lot of people watching the scene from home and it led to some strong reactions on social media.
The only way this makes any sense is if they're giving away free beer https://t.co/tgi7PXpiz3
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) January 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/DetroitMoments/status/1482807908790325257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1482807908790325257%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fftw.usatoday.com%2Flists%2Fcowboys-niners-fans-stampede-video-nfc-wild-card-standing-room-only
Are they running to the student section? https://t.co/rJA9gfZIOh
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 16, 2022
Just insanity, particularly so during a raging pandemic. https://t.co/XRBpp84eId
— Corbett Smith (@corbettsmithDMN) January 16, 2022
Filming the World War Z sequel https://t.co/7dCfppNWLY
— Brian Cuban (@bcuban) January 16, 2022
Hopefully, no one got hurt running into the stadium. As for contracting any airborne viruses that happen to be causing a pandemic at this particular moment, it seems as though seeing their football team win a playoff game trumps those concerns.
Good luck to everyone today, make your football team score points, and may your next COVID test come back negative.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.