The National Football League (NFL) has opted to take a more lenient stance than usual by not fining the Dallas Cowboys for their recent Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations. This decision comes as something of a surprise, given the league's history of strict enforcement of its celebration policies.
A Thanksgiving Feast on the Field
The incident in question took place during the Cowboys' dominant 45-10 win over the Washington Commanders on November 23. In a move that deviated from traditional post-game festivities, the Cowboys players enjoyed turkey legs that had been hidden inside Salvation Army kettles positioned near the end zones. The celebration occurred after a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, with only five minutes left in the game. Players were seen sprinting to the kettle to retrieve the foil-wrapped turkey legs they had stashed away earlier.
This premature celebration was a departure from the norm where the winning team typically enjoys a turkey leg on national television after the conclusion of the game. Commenting on the unusual nature of the celebration, CBS analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo remarked that it was the first time he had "seen someone get before the game’s over." Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the Cowboys had decided to go ahead with the celebration at the start of the fourth quarter, which seemed to fuel their offense to score another touchdown, cementing their victory.
Notable figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and team owner Jerry Jones were reported to have been involved in orchestrating the celebration. Prescott was later seen on the sidelines enjoying a turkey leg, while McCarthy appeared to be amused by the proceedings.
Unexpected Leniency from the NFL
The NFL's decision to forego fines in this instance left many fans both surprised and relieved. The league, often humorously dubbed the "No Fun League," has historically taken a hard line on penalizing players and teams for elaborate or unauthorized post-touchdown celebrations. For example, in 2016, former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott avoided a fine for jumping into the kettle, but in 2018, he was fined $13,369 for repeating the act.
In a similar vein, both Elliott and Prescott faced fines amounting to $13,261 each for unsportsmanlike conduct when they used the Salvation Army kettle as a prop during a touchdown celebration in a game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. Additionally, in the same game, four of the team’s tight ends were collectively fined a total of $27,094 for engaging in a mock game of Whac-A-Mole around the kettle following a touchdown on Thanksgiving Day.
The league's inconsistent approach to discipline is further highlighted by an incident involving Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. In Week 9 of the 2018 season, Thomas channeled a celebration previously performed by Joe Horn in 2003 by using a flip phone he had hidden under the goalpost after scoring a touchdown. While the celebration garnered attention and praise, it also resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a fine for Thomas.
Moreover, the article mentions social media criticism directed at the NFL regarding a recent decision to ban a videographer for the season after providing Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill with a phone to record a backflip.
Consistency in Question
The NFL's inconsistent handling of such celebrations has been a point of contention among fans and commentators alike. The league's disciplinary actions have varied widely, with some players receiving heavy fines for seemingly minor infractions, while others have escaped punishment for similar or even identical behaviors.
As the NFL continues to navigate the balance between maintaining sportsmanship and allowing players to express themselves, this latest no-fine verdict for the Cowboys may suggest a shift in the league's perspective. Whether this marks a change in policy or simply a one-off exception remains to be seen, but for now, the Dallas Cowboys can savor their Thanksgiving victory without the bitter aftertaste of a fine.
With the NFL's reputation for being unpredictable in its disciplinary measures, fans and players alike will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how the league enforces its celebration policies in future games. The hope is that the NFL will strive for greater consistency in its rulings to avoid confusion and ensure that all teams and players are treated fairly.