The NFL has imposed a substantial $250,000 penalty on Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jones for what he describes as an “unintentional” obscene gesture made toward attendees during a recent game at the Jets’ stadium.
Viral video clips appeared to show Jones making an obscene gesture at Jets fans, though he insists he was actually signaling approval to Dallas supporters present at the game as his team secured a decisive win.
“That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with Cowboys supporters seated near me,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “Present was a swarm of Dallas supporters—not New York fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was brimming with excitement for the Cowboys.”
He further emphasized that the signal was completely unintentional, occurring amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I just showed the wrong finger,” he noted. “The action was accidentally performed. I’m not kidding. If you want to call it accidental, you can. But it got resolved pretty quick.”
This is not the first time an NFL owner has been penalized for misconduct. Recent examples involve:
Jones, who is recognized for his media savvy, reportedly has an estimated net worth of around $16bn, so the fine manageable for the wealthy proprietor.
The incident comes after a controversial preseason for Jones, who faced significant criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt star defensive player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
Additionally, Jones was a central subject in a streaming series that explored his role in building the Cowboys into the globe’s most valuable sports franchise, despite its recent championship drought.
The league’s decision to fine Jones underscores its ongoing effort to maintain proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their status or financial standing.
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