The National Football League (NFL) has made a decision to not impose fines on the Dallas Cowboys for their recent Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations, which have been deemed unconventional by many. The incident in question took place during a commanding 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23, where the Cowboys players indulged in a pre-planned celebration involving turkey legs hidden inside Salvation Army kettles positioned near the end zones.
As the game neared its conclusion, following a significant fourth-quarter touchdown, Cowboys players dashed to the kettle to retrieve the foil-wrapped turkey legs they had previously stowed away. This celebratory feast, taking place with just five minutes left on the clock, caused quite a stir and was met with amusement from fans and commentators alike. It marked a departure from the usual post-game tradition of the winning team enjoying turkey legs on national television once the final whistle has blown.
A Break from Tradition
Tony Romo, CBS analyst and former quarterback for the Cowboys, commented that it was unprecedented to witness such a celebration before the end of the game. Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the Cowboys had decided to go ahead with this unique celebration at the start of the fourth quarter. The team's morale seemed to be boosted by the plan, as they went on to score another touchdown, further securing their victory.
Key figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and team owner Jerry Jones were said to be involved in the planning of the celebration. Prescott was later seen savoring a turkey leg on the sidelines, while McCarthy appeared to be entertained by the proceedings.
Unexpected Leniency from the NFL
The NFL’s decision to forego fines in this instance came as a surprise to many, given the league's historically stringent approach towards penalizing elaborate or unauthorized celebrations after touchdowns. Nicknamed the "No Fun League" by some critics, the NFL has chosen to treat this particular case as an exception.
This lenient stance is particularly unexpected because the Cowboys have faced penalties for similar actions in the past. For instance, in 2016, Ezekiel Elliott, then a Cowboys running back, avoided a fine for jumping into the kettle, but was fined $13,369 for repeating the act in 2018. Additionally, both Elliott and Prescott were fined $13,261 each for using the Salvation Army kettle as a prop in a celebration during a game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
In that same year, the Cowboys' tight ends were collectively fined a total of $27,094 for engaging in a mock game of Whac-A-Mole around the kettle after a touchdown on Thanksgiving Day. These precedents make the NFL's current no-fine ruling all the more surprising.
Historical Precedents and Inconsistencies
The NFL has shown inconsistency in enforcing discipline for celebration-related infractions. One notable example involves wide receiver Michael Thomas. In Week 9 of the 2018 season, Thomas emulated a celebration originally performed by Joe Horn in 2003. After scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams, Thomas retrieved a flip phone he had hidden under the goalpost. Although the celebration garnered attention and praise, it also resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a subsequent fine, mirroring the consequences faced by Horn years earlier.
The league's unpredictable disciplinary actions have been a topic of discussion on social media, especially following a recent revelation that Tyreek Hill's videographer received a season-long ban. The videographer was penalized for supplying the star Miami Dolphins wide receiver with a phone to record a backflip, highlighting the NFL's seemingly arbitrary approach to such matters.
In sum, the NFL's decision to not fine the Dallas Cowboys for their Thanksgiving celebration has added another chapter to the ongoing narrative about the league's handling of player celebrations. While this instance was met with relief and joy from fans who often call for more expressions of personality and fun in the game, it also underscores the need for clarity and consistency in how the NFL applies its rules regarding player conduct both on and off the field.