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The National Football League has imposed a hefty $250,000 fine on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for an action he describes as an “inadvertent” 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, but Jones insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans present at the game as his team clinched a decisive win.

“That was regrettable. It was essentially an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones stated during a Tuesday interview. “Present was a large group of Cowboys fans—not New York fans, our fans. The entire stadium was brimming with excitement for the Dallas team.”

Jones additionally emphasized that the gesture was entirely unintentional, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I simply put up the incorrect digit,” he noted. “It was accidentally done. This is sincere. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. However, it got corrected rapidly.”

Historical Precedent for Proprietor Penalties

This incident isn’t the initial instance an NFL owner has been penalized for misconduct. Recent examples include:

• Panthers proprietor Tepper was penalized $300K for tossing a beverage at fans in January 2024.
• Former Tennessee Titans proprietor Adams was issued a $250,000 penalty in 2009 for a similar obscene gesture.

Jones, who is known for his publicity flair, reportedly has an estimated net worth of around $16bn, so the penalty manageable for the wealthy owner.

Offseason Controversies and Media Attention

This event comes after a controversial preseason for Jones, who faced significant criticism from the Cowboys fanbase after the team dealt star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a central figure in a Netflix documentary that examined his influence in developing the Cowboys into the world’s highest-worth athletic organization, even with its modern-era title shortcomings.

The league’s action to penalize Jones highlights its continuing effort to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their status or financial standing.