Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was in high spirits Sunday as his beloved team closed out a 37-22 win over the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The win improved the Cowboys to 2-2-1 on the young season, keeping them within striking distance of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.
However, Jones’ joy in the owner’s box may cost him.
Social media was filled Sunday evening with clips of the Cowboys owner … keeping up foreign relations with Jets fans, to borrow a phrase from Goose in the original Top Gun.
Yes, we know the finger, Goose.
Here is another angle if you’re keeping score at home:
If past is prologue, that could lighten Jones’ wallet a bit. Back in 2009, the NFL fined Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams $250,000 for a similar series of gestures made in the direction of Buffalo Bills fans, in a game the Titans won by a final score of 41-17. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was actually at that game and had been in the luxury box with Adams for the first three quarters.
Goodell had left the box to sit with fans for the fourth quarter when the incident occurred.
“I do realize that those types of things shouldn’t happen,” Adams said in a statement. “I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the NFL. I obviously have a great deal of respect for Ralph Wilson and the history we have shared.”
During the 2023 season the league fined Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000 for throwing a drink in the direction of Jacksonville Jaguars fans, in a game at EverBank Stadium. That incident, which occurred shortly after a Bryce Young interception, came in a game the Panthers lost 26-0.
“I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday,” said Tepper in a statement. “I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior.”
We’ll see what the NFL decides regarding Jones soon enough.
