🔗 Share this article Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Penalized $250,000 for ‘Accidental’ Obscene Gesture toward Spectators The NFL has imposed a hefty $250,000 penalty on Cowboys proprietor Jones for an action he describes as an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal made toward attendees 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 present at the game as his team clinched a decisive win. “It was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones stated during a Tuesday interview. “There was a large group of Dallas supporters—not New York fans, our fans. The entire stadium was brimming with enthusiasm for the Dallas team.” Jones additionally emphasized that the gesture was entirely unintentional, occurring amid the elation following the team’s last score. “I simply put up the wrong digit,” he remarked. “The action was accidentally done. This is sincere. Should you call it unplanned, you can. But it got corrected pretty quick.” League Precedent for Owner Fines This is not the first time an NFL owner has been fined for inappropriate behavior. Recent examples involve: Panthers proprietor Tepper was fined $300,000 for throwing a drink at spectators in January 2024. Former Titans proprietor Adams received a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar offensive signal. Jones, who is known for his media savvy, possesses an estimated net worth of around $16bn, making the penalty manageable for the wealthy proprietor. Offseason Controversies and Media Attention This event comes after a controversial preseason for Jones, who encountered significant criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers. Moreover, Jones was a prominent figure in a streaming series that examined his role in building the Cowboys into the world’s highest-worth athletic organization, despite its modern-era title shortcomings. The league’s decision to fine Jones underscores its ongoing effort to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their position or financial standing.