On October 7, the NFL announced that it was fining Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, $250,000 for making an obscene gesture toward fans during the Cowboys’ win over the New York Jets on October 5.
Jerry has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, as his passion for football has often landed him in the headlines. But this time, his antics on the sidelines are costing him.
Cameras caught him pointing at fans from his box at the MetLife Stadium and flipping them off with his middle finger, a moment that quickly went viral across social media.
He apologized for the act during an appearance on his radio show on Tuesday and explained that the finger was just a response to Cowboys fans who were celebrating a touchdown during the game’s fourth quarter.
“That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jerry said. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out in front—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The entire stadium was brimming with enthusiasm of Cowboys and certainly late in the game.”
He continued to add that his gesture had been “inadvertent” and was not “antagonistic” at all. He claimed that his intention was a “thumbs up” because everyone was jumping up and down in excitement. He did not deny raising his middle finger but admitted that he had made the wrong gesture.
Jerry and the Cowboys have not yet formally appealed the fine, but it is likely that he will do so. He has until October 10 to make a decision.
Jerry is certainly not the first owner of a sports team to be fined for inappropriate behavior toward fans during a game. The NFL has a strict policy on unsportsmanlike behavior and obscene conduct, even among its highest-profile executives.
For example, David Tepper, the owner of the Carolina Panthers, was fined $300,000 for losing his cool and throwing a drink on fans in 2023.
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Additionally, the late owner of the Tennessee Titans, Bud Adams, was fined $250,000 for waving middle fingers at Buffalo Bills fans in 2009.
The controversy comes at a rocky time for the Cowboys. Currently, Jerry’s team is sitting at 2-2-1. They are in third place in their division after trading away Micah Parsons late in the offseason. Tensions have been high both on and off the field.
Still, if there’s one thing fans know about Jerry Jones, it’s that he is larger than life and as fiery and unpredictable as ever, even in his advanced age.
The 82-year-old billionaire is the oldest general manager in the NFL by 12 years. He bought the Dallas Cowboys from Bum Bright in 1989.
Over the decades, he has built a reputation as a passionate and outspoken owner. Fans can’t wait to see what he’ll do next!
Check out the NFL press release here.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
