In a move that has surprised many, the NFL has decided not to fine the Dallas Cowboys for their recent Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations. The incident in question unfolded during the Cowboys' dominant 45-10 win over the Washington Commanders on November 23. In an unusual twist, the Cowboys had hidden turkey legs inside Salvation Army kettles located near the end zones, which they later enjoyed as part of their victory revelry.
Thanksgiving Feast on the Field
The celebration took place towards the end of the game, following a significant touchdown in the fourth quarter. Players were seen dashing past the end zone to retrieve foil-wrapped turkey legs from the kettle, a spectacle that occurred with just five minutes left on the game clock. This deviation from the norm—where the winning team usually savors a turkey leg post-game on national television—caught the attention and amusement of fans and commentators alike.
Tony Romo, CBS analyst and former quarterback for the Cowboys, remarked that it was unprecedented: "I've never seen someone get before the game’s over." Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the idea for this celebratory act was hatched at the onset of the fourth quarter. The pre-planned event seemed to fuel the Cowboys further, as they scored another touchdown, cementing their victory.
Key figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and team owner Jerry Jones were reportedly involved in orchestrating the celebration. Prescott was later spotted relishing a turkey leg on the sidelines, while McCarthy looked on with evident amusement.
A Surprising Leniency
The league's decision not to impose fines has left many fans both shocked and relieved. The NFL, often dubbed the "No Fun League," typically maintains a stringent policy against elaborate or unauthorized post-touchdown celebrations. However, this particular instance was deemed an exception.
This lenient stance is particularly unexpected given the league's history with the Cowboys and celebratory conduct. In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott, then a running back for the Cowboys, was not fined for jumping into a kettle. Yet, in 2018, he faced a $13,369 penalty for repeating the same action. More recently, in 2022, both Elliott and Prescott were fined $13,261 each for using the Salvation Army kettle as a prop during a touchdown celebration in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Additionally, in the same 2022 match, four of the Cowboys' tight ends were collectively fined $27,094 for mimicking a game of Whac-A-Mole around the kettle after a touchdown. These incidents underscore the inconsistency with which the NFL has historically approached disciplinary actions.
The article also references a prior incident involving Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. Following his touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 of the 2018 season, Thomas celebrated by using a hidden flip phone—a nod to former teammate Joe Horn's infamous 2003 celebration—which resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a hefty fine.
Contrastingly, the league's inconsistent disciplinary measures have been highlighted once again with the recent news that Tyreek Hill's videographer received a season-long ban for supplying the star Miami Dolphins receiver with a phone to record a backflip.
Final Thoughts
The NFL's decision regarding the Cowboys' Thanksgiving antics has certainly raised questions about its approach to player celebrations and conduct. While the league has shown it can appreciate a festive spirit, the apparent arbitrariness of its disciplinary decisions continues to be a topic of debate among fans and media pundits alike.
As the NFL navigates the balance between maintaining sportsmanship and allowing players the freedom to express their joy, this latest episode serves as a reminder of the fine line the league walks in enforcing its rules. Whether this will lead to a more consistent policy in the future remains to be seen, but for now, the Cowboys can be thankful for their spared wallets as much as their victory.