The National Football League (NFL) has decided not to impose fines on the Dallas Cowboys following their unconventional Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations. The festivities in question took place during a dominant 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23, when the Cowboys had cleverly hidden turkey legs inside Salvation Army kettles positioned near the end zones.
In a delightful twist to the traditional post-game turkey leg feast typically broadcasted on national television, Cowboys players, after scoring a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown, rushed to the kettle and retrieved the foil-wrapped turkey legs they had stowed away. With only five minutes left on the game clock, this premature celebration caused quite a stir, tickling the fancy of many onlookers.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS analyst Tony Romo commented on the celebration during the Sports Illustrated coverage, noting it was the first instance he had witnessed such an act before the final whistle. Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the Cowboys had concocted their celebratory scheme as early as the start of the fourth quarter. Emboldened by their premeditated revelry, the Cowboys' offense went on to score another touchdown, cementing their commanding lead.
Key figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and team owner Jerry Jones were all reportedly in on the planning. Prescott was later seen savoring a turkey leg on the sidelines, while McCarthy appeared visibly entertained by the unfolding events.
A Surprising Leniency
The NFL's decision to forego fines came as a shock to many, given the league's historically stringent policy against elaborate or unauthorized post-touchdown celebrations. This move marks a rare deviation for the NFL, which has earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname "No Fun League" due to its usual rigidity in these matters.
This stance is particularly surprising considering the league's past disciplinary actions against the Cowboys for similar behavior. In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott, the former Cowboys running back, jumped into a kettle but was not fined. However, in 2018, he faced a $13,369 fine for repeating the act. More recently, in 2022, both Elliott and Prescott were fined $13,261 each for unsportsmanlike conduct after using the Salvation Army kettle as a prop during a touchdown celebration in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
In that same 2022 Thanksgiving Day game, four Cowboys tight ends were collectively fined a total of $27,094 for orchestrating a Whac-A-Mole celebration around the kettle following a touchdown.
The NFL's inconsistent disciplinary measures have also been highlighted in other instances. For example, Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints channeled a celebration originally performed by Joe Horn in 2003. After scoring against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 of the 2018 season, Thomas retrieved a hidden flip phone from under the goalpost to mimic Horn's iconic celebration. Although the act was celebrated by fans, it resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and Thomas faced a hefty fine.
Recent social media criticism has pointed out the inconsistency in the NFL's punitive measures involving not just players but non-players as well. A videographer for Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins was banned for the season after supplying the star wide receiver with a phone to record a backflip, a revelation that sparked further debate regarding the league's disciplinary policies.
In light of these precedents, the NFL's decision to let the Cowboys' Thanksgiving antics slide without financial repercussion stands out as an anomaly. It suggests a potential softening of the league's stance on celebrations, or perhaps an acknowledgment of the unique spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday within the context of American football. Regardless, fans and players alike are left wondering whether this marks a shift in the NFL's approach to in-game festivities or if it's merely a one-off indulgence.
The lack of fines for the Cowboys' Thanksgiving celebration will likely remain a talking point among sports enthusiasts and analysts for some time. As the NFL continues to navigate the balance between sportsmanship and entertainment, the outcome of such incidents will be closely watched to discern any emerging patterns or shifts in the league's cultural norms.