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The National Football League has imposed a hefty $250,000 penalty on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for what he describes as an “unintentional” obscene gesture made toward fans during a recent game at the Jets’ stadium.

Widely circulated footage seemed to capture Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually giving a thumbs-up to Dallas supporters present at the game as his team clinched a 37-22 victory.

“It was unfortunate. That was kind of an interaction with Cowboys supporters out in front of us,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “Present was a large group of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was filled with enthusiasm for the Dallas team.”

Jones additionally emphasized that the gesture was entirely unintentional, occurring amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I just showed the incorrect finger,” he remarked. “It was inadvertently done. I’m not kidding. Should you call it accidental, you can. However, it got corrected rapidly.”

Historical Precedent for Proprietor Fines

This incident isn’t the initial instance an league proprietor has been penalized for misconduct. Previous examples include:

• Carolina Panthers proprietor Tepper was penalized $300K for tossing a beverage at fans in early 2024.
• Then Tennessee Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a similar offensive signal.

Jones, who is recognized for his publicity flair, reportedly has an estimated net worth of around $16bn, so the penalty easily payable for the wealthy owner.

Recent Controversies and Media Attention

This event comes after a controversial offseason for Jones, who faced widespread criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt key pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a prominent figure in a Netflix documentary that explored his influence in developing the Cowboys into the globe’s most valuable sports franchise, even with its recent title shortcomings.

The league’s action to penalize Jones highlights its ongoing initiative to maintain proper behavior among all franchise representatives, regardless of their status or financial standing.