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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been fined $250,000 by the NFL for making a gesture he claims was an “inadvertent” thumbs-up, but which appeared to be obscene, following a game against the New York Jets. The gesture occurred late in the Cowboys’ 37-22 road win over the Jets. A video shared widely on social media shows Jones gesturing to a crowd at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, first giving a thumbs-up, before raising his middle finger and pointing lower in the crowd while mouthing a few indiscernible words.
Jones has until Friday to appeal the decision and, though neither the Cowboys nor Jones have yet formally done so, it is likely he will, according to Pelissero.
The news was first reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero on Tuesday and confirmed by the NFL on Wednesday.
This is not the first time Jones has faced a fine from the league. He faced his first fine in 2008 for criticizing a referee and another in 2009 for violating an order from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to stop executives and owners from discussing league labor issues.
The three-time Super Bowl-winning owner offered his explanation for the “unfortunate” fan interaction on Dallas radio show 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday.
“I just put up the wrong show on the hand, but that was inadvertently done,” Jones said. “The intention was thumbs up.”
When asked about the exchange, Jones said it occurred in front of Cowboys fans, not Jets fans, amidst the excitement after quarterback Dak Prescott threw a four-yard pass to Javonte Williams for Dallas’ final touchdown of the game.
“There was a swarm of Cowboy fans out in front, not Jets fans, Cowboy fans,” Jones emphasized. “That was inadvertent on my part because that was right after we’d made our last touchdown and we were all excited about it.
