The Dallas Cowboys are in a unique position after losing in Week 3, winning in Week 2, and then picking up a win in Week 5. They sit at 2-2-1, a record most NFL fans aren’t used to seeing.
With an upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers, GM Jerry Jones’ pockets will be a bit thinner heading into Bank of America Stadium after his gesture towards New York Jets fans.
Why Did the NFL Fine Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones?
For whatever reason, Jones called his middle finger gesture towards Jets fans “unfortunate” and “inadvertent”. Those are the two words he used to describe the situation, one that cost him $250,000. ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Jones can appeal the fine, though it likely would only lower the price and not remove it entirely.
Source: NFL is fining Jerry Jones $250,000 for the self-described “unfortunate” gesture he made Sunday to fans at MetLife Stadium. Jones may appeal. https://t.co/zLQh1w3MWY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2025
Videos surfaced online of Jones flipping off Jets fans after QB Dak Prescott expanded the Cowboys’ lead to 37-14. Jones, who appears on a weekly radio show, knew the situation was going to be a hot topic of discussion. It was as the Cowboys breezed past the now 0-5 Jets, as they should have. Dallas has the No. 3-ranked offense in PFSN’s Impact metric through five games.
“That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones said. “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.”
He continued, “[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,” Jones added. “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.”
Knowing he meant to put a “thumbs up”, the NFL has a decision to make. Should Jones appeal, they’ll re-assess the situation and determine if a $250K fine is necessary. At the end of the day, they acted how they saw fit. Jets fans likely won’t take Jones side, but the final decision will come down to the NFL, as it always does.