Jerry Jones’s baffling explanation for flipping off Jets fans in viral $250K moment
Never ask Jerry Jones to communicate via sign language.
The Dallas Cowboys owner said it was never his intention to issue a middle finger to fans at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, and that the “unfortunate” gesture was supposed to be a celebratory thumbs up.
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Jones went viral on social media for casting a quick one-finger salute from his suite — seemingly directed at the local crowd — following Dak Prescott’s fourth touchdown pass during the Cowboys’ 37-22 road victory over the New York Jets.
The gesture has proved costly with the NFL levying a $250,000 fine against the Cowboys’ owner that he may appeal, per ESPN.
“That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones said Tuesday before the reveal of the fine during a radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.
“There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out in front — not Jets fans, Cowboys fans. The entire stadium was brimming with enthusiasm of Cowboys and certainly late in the game.
“[The gesture] was inadvertent on my part because that was right after we made our last touchdown, and we were all excited about it. There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that. I just put up the wrong show on the hand.
“That was inadvertently done. I’m not kidding. If you want to call it accidental, you can call it accidental. But it got straightened around pretty quick. I had a chance to look at it. It got straightened out pretty quick, but the intention was ‘thumbs up,’ and basically pointing at our fans because everybody was jumping up and down excited.”
The NFL has not announced if Jones will be punished for the blunder, but he wouldn’t be the first owner to receive a hefty fine for what the league deems as “unacceptable behavior.”
In 2024, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 for hurling a drink toward Jacksonville Jaguars fans, while late Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams received a $250,000 charge in 2009 for commemorating a win over the Buffalo Bills with a pair of middle fingers.
Dallas is 2-2-1 to start its season, with its two victories coming against the Giants and Jets, respectively.
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The Jets (0-5) remain the NFL’s only winless — a flightless start to the year, made even worse after receiving an “inadvertent” bird from Jerry Jones.
Let’s be honest—no matter how stressful the day gets, a good viral video can instantly lift your mood. Whether it’s a funny pet doing something silly, a heartwarming moment between strangers, or a wild dance challenge, viral videos are what keep the internet fun and alive.