Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been fined $250,000 by the NFL for a gesture he made during a recent game celebration. The former league on October 10 ordered the act a conduct harmful to its goodwill. The fine, reported by ESPN’s Todd Archer, stems from an incident that occurred immediately following the Cowboys’ last touchdown.
The example occurred as Jones was enjoying an emotional high of a Cowboys matchup. He described how that gesture came about in a free flowing, spontaneous moment. That it was not meant to offend anyone. “That was right after we made our last touchdown, and we were all excited about it,” Jones explained. There was no competitive or hostile concern or anything of that nature. I terribly mis-uploaded the new… READ MORE LIVE ON THE HAND — R002 Qualcomm. That was inadvertently done.
Jones clarified that what he’d meant to do was provide some positive energy with a thumbs-up signal aimed at the fans. He described the situation as accidental, stating, “If you want to call it accidental, you can call it accidental. But it got straightened around pretty quick.” He further remarked on the nature of the exchange, declaring, “That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us.”
As for the NFL, they have given Jones a deadline to appeal the fine, which is due by Friday. This incident hits close to home, reminding us of previous examples of such racism in the league. Perhaps most famously, former Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for displaying an obscene gesture during a game. Just last month, new Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper got hit with a $300,000 fine. He once hurled a drink on fans, for which local officials rightfully condemned as “unacceptable behavior.”
The league’s smart decision further reflects its continued effort to curb the antics of team owners/executives. Jones’s fine is a welcome reminder of what we all should expect from leaders of professional sports organizations.
As discussions around this incident continue, Jones has taken responsibility, acknowledging the misstep while expressing his genuine intention to celebrate with the Cowboys’ fan base. The result of his expected appeal remains to be seen. For the time being, though, he remembers what he describes as a disappointing instant in an otherwise exhilarating contest.
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