*picture from www.blogcdn.com

(This is the first edition of a new feature here at DSF that we are calling the “Hot Button.” We are calling it that for two reasons. First, because it will involve me or someone else analyzing an important, potentially controversial topic that is germane to Dallas sports discussion. Second, and perhaps most importantly, it is sponsored by our good friends at American Button Machines, the button maker capital of the Internet. See the connection? I figured you would. Now onto this week’s Hot Button…)

Scoreboard / Video Screen / Jerry-Tron Measurements:
• Largest high definition television screen in the world.
• Size: 160 feet by 72 feet | 49 meters by 22 meters | 11,520 square feet
• Resolution: equivalent to 1080p

The Dallas Cowboys Massive HD Screen or Jumbo-tron / Scoreboard has been quite the hot button topic in the media as of late. Is the screen high enough, some say yes (Jerry Jones included), and others are saying the Jumbo-tron needs to be raised. The NFL guidelines for this are that it must be at least 85 feet in the air, and the Jumbotron hangs at 90 feet. So, Jerry Jones, the Jumbo-tron, or the Dallas Cowboys should not be at fault because the NFL’s height requirements were not very well thought out. That said, instead of moving the massive HD screen up, which has been reported to make it inoperable the NFL has instead created a special rules.

Pro Football Talk / NBC Sports has announced that the new rule for the Jumbo-Tron / Scoreboard at Cowboys Stadium is as follows:

1. If a ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the previous spot.

2. If there is not an on-field ruling that the ball struck an object, the Replay Assistant is empowered to initiate a booth review, including if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning. If, prior to the two-minute warning, no booth review is initiated by the Replay Assistant, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the customary procedures for such a challenge.

3. In the event the down is replayed: (a) The game clock will be reset to the time remaining when the snap occurred. (b) All penalties will be disregarded, except for personal fouls which will be administered prior to replaying the down.

So it is definitely safe to say that the massive HD Jumbo-tron at Jerry world will not be going anywhere except for the U2 concert in October when the Cowboys Jumbotron will be disconnected and raised to make room for their stage lighting. See U2 live at Cowboys Stadium! Tickets Available on StubHub.com

The Hot Button is sponsored by American Button Machines, the premier online source for button machine and button press enthusiasts, including supplies for fabric buttons, photo buttons, pinback buttons, as well as badge reels. They also sell a variety of circle cutters and will teach you how to make a button at their website or on their button making blog.