The NFL has levied a substantial $250,000 fine on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for what he claims was an “unintentional” offensive hand signal directed at 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 Dallas supporters in attendance as his team clinched a decisive win.
“That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with Cowboys supporters out in front of us,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “There was a large group of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was filled with excitement for the Cowboys.”
He further emphasized that the signal was completely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I simply showed the wrong finger,” he noted. “The action was inadvertently done. This is sincere. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. But it got resolved pretty quick.”
This incident isn’t the initial instance an NFL owner has been penalized for inappropriate behavior. Previous examples involve:
Jones, a figure who is recognized for his publicity flair, possesses an estimated net worth of $16 billion, making the fine manageable for the wealthy owner.
The incident comes after a controversial preseason for Jones, who encountered widespread criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt key defensive player Parsons to the Packers.
Additionally, Jones was a central subject in a streaming series that explored his influence in building the Dallas franchise into the globe’s highest-worth sports franchise, even with its recent title shortcomings.
The league’s decision to fine Jones underscores its ongoing initiative to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their status or wealth.
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John Robertson
John Robertson
John Robertson
John Robertson