At MetLife Stadium last weekend, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones caught heat for an unexpected gesture aimed at New York Jets fans. The gesture has ruffled feathers across the NFL world, and more importantly, it’s sparked a hefty fine from the league. 

On the latest Pat McAfee podcast episode, the host broke down the incident with his signature mix of humor and insight. “This past weekend at MetLife Stadium, Jerry Jones was caught doing a David Tepper move in an away box waving down,” McAfee said. Jones got slapped with a $250,000 fine following his wave to Jets fans, but McAfee revealed there might be more to the story.

Trying to explain, McAfee said Jones insisted, “It was an unfortunate gesture. He actually thought it was a thumbs-up. Number #1, maybe a thumbs up. That middle finger just controls itself sometimes.” He humorously backed up Jones’s gesture, suggesting he genuinely lacks control over that particular finger.

McAfee likened it to a scene from the movie Landman, where Jones, doing business with his family, lets his finger slip even in a serious moment. “That middle finger of his just couldn’t. He wanted to put on a rubber glove. That thing starts dancing out there,” McAfee chuckled. The NFL made it clear: Jones can’t pull that stunt again. 

Jones had also offered a colorful follow-up about the whole debacle. “I’m laying up there in the bed. I said, the good news is that they say you’re going to live,” JJ said. “And so don’t make me have to come up here and visit with my rubber glove and get you out of that bed. Now they took that out, and I thought this is the best scene in the whole thing.” 

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the $250,000 penalty, stating Jones had the right to appeal. Initially, the Cowboys seemed ready to fight it, prepping papers for an appeal. But as the days passed, reality set in. 

Jones decided not to contest the fine. According to sources, part of the reason was the fine money going to charity. In the grand scheme for one of sports’ richest owners, fighting over a quarter-million dollars and risking public blowback never looked like a winning play.

What all did Jerry Jones say about the fine

Jones had shared his side more seriously on Dallas radio. “I just put up the wrong show on the hand. That was inadvertently done. I’m not kidding,” he said. He claimed, “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.”

The explanation struck some as a bit thin, with even local radio hosts snickering at the awkward excuse. Whatever the truth, Jones is moving on, knowing the NFL expects better finger discipline next time he faces opposing fans.

The Cowboys owner acknowledges the NFL’s standards apply to everyone, even big names like him. Jerry said on 105.3 The Fan, “I understand the disciplinary actions of the league.” Jones’s decision not to appeal marks the end of this finger-flapping saga for now. 

While the gesture caused a stir, it likely won’t define his legacy or derail the Cowboys’ season. As the team heads into its next games, Jones will probably keep his fingers in check, at least around opposing fans.