Jerry Jones is $250,000 poorer today after the NFL fined him a quarter of a million dollars for giving the middle finger to fans below his suite during Sunday's Cowboys-Jets game.
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The 82-year-old was caught on camera flipping off a couple of Jets fans in the midst of Dallas' 37-22 blowout win.
Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on giving the middle finger during Sunday’s game in New Jersey: “That was unfortunate. There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out front. It was right after we made our last touchdown. I put up the wrong show of hand. The intention was thumbs up.” pic.twitter.com/3QS6ZkD4B1
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 7, 2025
The clip quickly went viral, circulating across social media within minutes of being posted. Although the full context of the exchange remains unclear, it appeared that the longtime Cowboys owner was engaging in some heated banter with Jets fans below his box.
Jones addressed the video Monday—before any fine was issued—during his regular appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "That was unfortunate," Jones said. "There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out front. It was right after we made our last touchdown. I put up the wrong show of hand. The intention was thumbs up."
Even the most ardent Cowboys supporters, or elderly defenders, found Jones's explanation a bit questionable. Not only does a thumbs-up require a completely different digit, but it also means the exact opposite of the gesture he was seen making.
Either the league didn't buy Jerry's version of events, or they simply didn't care. Officials confirmed the fine on Tuesday, citing "conduct detrimental to the league."
The NFL has long taken a hard stance on unsportsmanlike or inappropriate behavior from team owners. In 2023, Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 for throwing his drink at a fan during a game in Jacksonville.
The "finger incident" now becomes the latest episode in what's been a chaotic 2025 Cowboys season, one already marked by the shocking trade of Micah Parsons just over a month ago.
Jones, for his part, seemed unfazed. "I probably shouldn't have reacted the way I did," he said with a laugh. "But I've been in this game a long time—sometimes the passion gets the best of you. I'll pay the fine and move on."
And with the Cowboys improving to 2-2-1, that's exactly what he seems ready to do.
