Jerry Jones admitted Tuesday that he flipped the middle finger during Sunday’s Jets-Cowboys game at MetLife Stadium.
Soon after that, news broke that the gesture will cost the Dallas Cowboys owner a hefty fine. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL is fining Jones $250,000 for what Jones claimed was an “accidental” middle finger.
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The incident took place during the Cowboys’ 37-22 win over the Jets on Sunday in New York’s home stadium. Jones was there and shared the not-so-cordial moment with someone from his luxury box.
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Video emerged of the incident after the game. Jones shared a wave with fans from his box as the Cowboys prepared to kick an extra point to extend their double-figure lead in the second half.
He also shared a middle finger.
Jones did so with a smile on his face and a followed it up with a finger point, clearly pleased with the events of the afternoon. Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant gleefully shared the video on his social media.
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Jerry Jones claims he meant to give a thumbs up
On Tuesday, Jones was asked about the interaction and admitted that he did give the middle finger. But he claims that it was not intentional.
“That was kind of an exchange with fans out in front of us,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan during his weekly radio interview. “There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out in front — not Jet fans — Cowboy fans. And the entire stadium was brimming with the enthusiasm of Cowboys, certainly late in the game. That was inadvertent on my part. … There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that. I just put up the wrong show on the hand.
“I’m not kidding. If you want to call it accidentally, you can call it accidental. But it got straightened around pretty quick. I’ve had a chance to look at it. It got straightened around pretty quick.
“But the intention was thumbs up and basically pointing at our fans because everybody was jumping up and down and excited.”
The league has a history of frowning upon its owners sharing such gestures with paying customers. There is a precedent for Jones’ fine.
In 2009, late Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams tossed up double birds while celebrating a home Titans victory over the Buffalo Bills.
There was no doubt about those birds as Adams put them up repeatedly and with flair, also from the confines of his luxury box.
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Adams apologized hours later, via a statement.
“I do realize that those types of things shouldn’t happen,” Adams’ statement read. “I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the NFL.”
Adams’ apology didn’t save him from a fine of $250,000 by the NFL. There was no word from Adams at the time on whether it was worth it. Now Jones has reportedly met the same fate.
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