Jerry Jones and the $250,000 Finger Fiasco

Now, this is where the story gets good. When asked about the incident on Dallas radio, Jones delivered an excuse that is already the stuff of legend. He claimed the whole thing was an accident. An “inadvertent” slip of the digit, if you will. “That was unfortunate,” Jones said. “I just put up the wrong show of the hand… The intention was ‘thumbs up.'”

A thumbs-up? Really, Jerry? We’ve all fumbled our keys or sent a text to the wrong person, but accidentally flipping the bird when you meant to give a cheerful thumbs-up? That’s a new level of dexterity mix-up. It is like trying to order a Coke and accidentally demanding the secret Krabby Patty formula. It just doesn’t happen.

The NFL Sets a Price On Obscenity

This isn’t the first time an owner has been slapped for a public display of digital defiance. Back in 2009, Tennessee Titans Owner Bud Adams unleashed a glorious double-bird salute on Buffalo Bills fans. He was also fined a cool $250,000. It seems the league has a set price for this particular brand of owner enthusiasm.

For a man like Jones, whose net worth is estimated to be over $16 billion, a quarter-million-dollar fine is basically couch cushion money. It is less a punishment and more of a “cost of doing business” fee for having a little too much fun at the Jets’ expense.

While Jones is expected to appeal the fine, the video evidence is pretty damning. It is a tough case to make when you’re on camera, smiling like the cat that ate the canary, while extending the international symbol for “talk to the hand.”

At the end of the day, whether it was an intentional jab or a spectacular motor skills failure, Jerry Jones has once again proven that he is the gift that keeps on giving. He’s a showman, an oil tycoon, and now, the proud owner of the most expensive middle finger in recent NFL history.