In a move that has caught many off guard, the NFL has decided not to impose fines on the Dallas Cowboys for their recent Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations. This decision comes despite the league's history of taking a hard line against elaborate or unauthorized post-touchdown festivities.
The celebration in question took place during the Cowboys' dominant 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23. The Cowboys players had hidden turkey legs inside Salvation Army kettles located near the end zones, which they proceeded to enjoy following a fourth-quarter touchdown. With only five minutes left in the game, the players sprinted to the kettle and retrieved the foil-wrapped turkey legs they had stashed away, leading to an eyebrow-raising moment that delighted many spectators.
This act deviated from the usual tradition of the winning team enjoying a turkey leg on national television after the conclusion of the game. Sports Illustrated commentator and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo remarked that it was unprecedented, saying, "I've never seen someone get before the game’s over." Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the Cowboys made the decision to go ahead with the celebration at the start of the fourth quarter. The pre-planned feast seemed to fuel the Cowboys' offense, as they scored another touchdown in the final quarter, cementing their win.
Key figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and team owner Jerry Jones were reportedly involved in the planning process. Prescott was later seen savoring a turkey leg on the sidelines, while McCarthy appeared amused by the proceedings.
Unexpected Leniency
The absence of fines from the NFL came as a surprise to fans, considering the organization's typical stance on penalizing unsanctioned celebrations. The league, often humorously referred to as the "No Fun League," deemed this particular incident an exception, much to the relief of supporters.
The surprise stems partly from the fact that the Cowboys have been fined for similar actions in the past. In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott, the team's former running back, jumped into a kettle but wasn't fined. However, in 2018, he faced a $13,369 fine for repeating the 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.
In that same 2022 game, four of the Cowboys' tight ends were collectively fined $27,094 for engaging in a mock game of Whac-A-Mole around the kettle following a touchdown on Thanksgiving Day. The NFL has also shown strictness in other instances, such as when Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints replicated Joe Horn's infamous cell phone celebration from 2003. After scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 of the 2018 season, Thomas pulled out a hidden flip phone, emulating Horn's celebration. While the act garnered significant attention and praise, it also resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a substantial fine for Thomas.
The inconsistency of the NFL in disciplining its players and non-players has been a topic of discussion, particularly on social media platforms. A recent example cited includes the season-long ban imposed on Tyreek Hill's videographer for providing the Miami Dolphins wide receiver with a phone to record a backflip.
Looking Ahead
As the NFL continues to navigate the balance between sportsmanship and entertainment, this latest no-fine ruling for the Dallas Cowboys may indicate a shift, or at least an exception, to their traditionally stringent policies. The league's decision not to fine the Cowboys for their Thanksgiving celebration suggests a possible softening of their stance on post-touchdown celebrations, or perhaps an acknowledgment of the unique context of the holiday spirit infused in the game.
Nevertheless, the NFL's approach to celebrations remains a contentious issue, with some advocating for more freedom of expression and others calling for the maintenance of professionalism and traditional sportsmanship. As the reactions to the Cowboys' turkey leg celebration show, the appetite for fun and levity in the sport is significant among fans and players alike. The league's future decisions will be closely watched to see if this incident represents a one-time indulgence or a stepping stone towards a more relaxed policy on in-game celebrations.