The NFL has levied a substantial $250,000 fine on Cowboys proprietor Jones for what he describes as an “unintentional” obscene gesture made toward fans during a Sunday’s game at the Jets’ stadium.
Widely circulated footage seemed to capture Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, but Jones insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team clinched a 37-22 victory.
“That was unfortunate. That was essentially an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “Present was a swarm of Dallas supporters—not New York fans, our fans. The entire stadium was brimming with excitement for the Dallas team.”
Jones additionally clarified that the signal was completely unintentional, happening amid the elation following the team’s last score. “I simply showed the incorrect digit,” he remarked. “The action was accidentally done. This is sincere. If you want to call it accidental, you can. But it got resolved rapidly.”
This is not the initial instance an NFL owner has been fined for inappropriate behavior. Recent cases involve:
Jones, a figure who is known for his publicity flair, reportedly has an approximate wealth of $16 billion, so the penalty manageable for the billionaire owner.
This event follows a contentious offseason for Jones, who faced significant criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team traded key pass rusher Parsons to the Packers.
Moreover, Jones was a prominent subject in a streaming series that explored his influence in building the Cowboys into the world’s most valuable athletic organization, even with its recent championship drought.
The league’s action to penalize Jones underscores its continuing effort to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, regardless of their position or financial standing.
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