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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 “unintentional” offensive hand signal made toward fans during a recent contest at MetLife Stadium.

Viral video clips seemed to capture Jones flashing his middle finger at Jets fans, but Jones maintains he was actually signaling approval to Dallas supporters in attendance as his team secured a decisive win.

“That was regrettable. That was essentially an exchange with our fans seated near me,” Jones explained during a Tuesday interview. “Present was a large group of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, our fans. The entire stadium was brimming with enthusiasm for the Dallas team.”

Jones additionally clarified that the signal was entirely accidental, happening amid the excitement following the team’s final touchdown. “I just put up the wrong finger,” he noted. “The action was accidentally performed. This is sincere. Should you call it accidental, you can. However, it got corrected rapidly.”

League Context for Owner Penalties

This incident isn’t the first time an league proprietor has been fined for misconduct. Recent examples involve:

• Panthers proprietor Tepper was penalized $300K for tossing a beverage at spectators in January 2024.
• Then Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was issued a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a comparable offensive signal.

Jones, a figure who is recognized for his publicity flair, possesses an estimated wealth of $16 billion, making the fine manageable for the wealthy owner.

Offseason Issues and Media Spotlight

This event follows a contentious preseason for Jones, who encountered significant backlash from the Cowboys fanbase after the team traded star defensive player Micah Parsons to the Packers.

Moreover, Jones was a central subject in a Netflix documentary that explored his role in building the Dallas franchise into the globe’s highest-worth athletic organization, even with its recent title shortcomings.

The NFL’s action to penalize Jones underscores its ongoing initiative to uphold proper behavior among all team officials, irrespective of their position or financial standing.