🔗 Share this article Cowboys Proprietor Jerry Jones Fined $250,000 for ‘Inadvertent’ Obscene Gesture toward Spectators The National Football League has levied a hefty $250,000 fine on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for an action he describes as an “unintentional” obscene gesture made toward attendees during a recent game at MetLife 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 Cowboys fans in attendance as his team clinched a 37-22 victory. “It was unfortunate. It was essentially an interaction with our fans seated near me,” Jones explained during a radio appearance. “There was a swarm of Dallas supporters—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The whole venue was brimming with excitement for the Dallas team.” He further clarified that the gesture was completely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I simply put up the wrong digit,” he noted. “It was accidentally done. I’m not kidding. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. But it got corrected rapidly.” Historical Context for Proprietor Fines This incident isn’t the initial instance an NFL owner has been penalized for misconduct. Recent examples involve: Panthers proprietor Tepper was penalized $300K for tossing a beverage at fans in January 2024. Then Titans owner Bud Adams was issued a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar offensive signal. Jones, who is known for his media savvy, possesses an estimated wealth of $16 billion, making the penalty manageable for the wealthy proprietor. Recent Controversies and Public Attention The incident follows a contentious preseason for Jones, who faced significant backlash from the Dallas supporters after the team dealt star defensive player Parsons to the Packers. Additionally, Jones was a prominent figure in a Netflix documentary that explored his role in developing the Dallas franchise into the world’s most valuable sports franchise, despite its modern-era championship drought. The league’s action to penalize Jones highlights its continuing effort to maintain proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their status or wealth.