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The National Football League has levied a hefty $250,000 penalty on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for an action he claims was an “inadvertent” offensive hand signal directed at attendees during a Sunday’s contest at MetLife Stadium.

Widely circulated footage appeared to show Jones making an obscene gesture toward opposing supporters, though he insists he was actually signaling approval to Cowboys fans in attendance as his team clinched a decisive win.

“That was regrettable. It was kind of an exchange with our fans seated near me,” Jones stated during a radio appearance. “Present was a large group of Cowboys fans—not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The entire stadium was brimming with excitement for the Cowboys.”

Jones additionally clarified that the gesture was entirely accidental, happening amid the excitement following the team’s last score. “I just showed the wrong finger,” he remarked. “It was inadvertently done. I’m not kidding. If you want to call it unplanned, you can. However, it got corrected rapidly.”

League Context for Owner Fines

This incident isn’t the initial instance an league proprietor has been fined for misconduct. Previous cases involve:

• Panthers proprietor Tepper was fined $300,000 for tossing a beverage at fans in early 2024.
• Former Titans proprietor Adams received a $250,000 fine in 2009 for a comparable obscene gesture.

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

Offseason Controversies and Public Attention

This event comes after a contentious preseason for Jones, who encountered significant criticism from the Dallas supporters after the team traded key pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers.

Additionally, Jones was a central figure in a streaming series that explored his role in building the Cowboys into the world’s most valuable athletic organization, even with its modern-era title shortcomings.

The league’s action to penalize Jones highlights its continuing initiative to uphold professional conduct among all team officials, irrespective of their position or financial standing.