The National Football League (NFL) has decided not to impose fines on the Dallas Cowboys for their unconventional Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations. This decision comes as a surprise given the league's history of strictly enforcing rules against elaborate or unauthorized celebratory acts.
During the November 23 game, which saw the Cowboys triumph with a resounding 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders, players engaged in a festive celebration that deviated from the norm. In the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, after securing a significant touchdown, Cowboys players dashed to the end zone where they retrieved foil-wrapped turkey legs hidden inside Salvation Army kettles. The impromptu feast on the field, with just five minutes left on the clock, both raised eyebrows and delighted fans.
This departure from tradition, which typically involves the winning team enjoying turkey legs on national television post-game, was noted by Sports Illustrated and CBS analyst Tony Romo, a former quarterback for the Cowboys. "It's the first time I've seen someone get before the game’s over," he commented on the premature celebration. Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the Cowboys had planned the celebration at the start of the final quarter, a move that seemed to fuel the team's offense, culminating in another touchdown that cemented their win.
Key Figures in the Celebration
Dak Prescott, the team's quarterback, head coach Mike McCarthy, and owner Jerry Jones were all reportedly involved in orchestrating the celebration. Prescott was later spotted savoring a turkey leg on the sidelines, while McCarthy appeared amused by the proceedings.
Surprise Leniency from the NFL
The NFL's decision to forego fines in this instance left many fans both surprised and pleased, considering the league's reputation for penalizing unsanctioned post-touchdown festivities—sometimes referred to derisively as the "No Fun League." This stance is particularly unexpected given the league's past disciplinary actions against the Cowboys for similar behavior.
In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott, then a running back for the Cowboys, avoided a fine for jumping into a kettle, but faced a $13,369 penalty for repeating the act in 2018. 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 against the Indianapolis Colts. In that same Thanksgiving Day game, four of the Cowboys' tight ends were collectively fined $27,094 for mimicking a game of Whac-A-Mole around the kettle following a touchdown.
The league has also been stringent in other cases, such as with Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. In a 2018 Week 9 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thomas celebrated his touchdown by using a flip phone he had hidden under the goalpost—a homage to former teammate Joe Horn's infamous 2003 celebration. While Thomas's act garnered widespread acclaim, it also earned him a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a substantial fine.
These inconsistencies in the NFL's approach to discipline have not gone unnoticed. Social media erupted in criticism when it was revealed that Tyreek Hill's videographer received a season-long ban for supplying the star Miami Dolphins wide receiver with a phone to record a celebratory backflip.
Conclusion
The NFL's leniency regarding the Cowboys' recent Thanksgiving antics marks a notable exception in the league's typically strict enforcement policy. While some may view this as a positive step towards a more relaxed and entertaining game-day experience, others question the consistency of the league's disciplinary measures. Regardless of perspective, the Cowboys' turkey leg celebration will undoubtedly remain a memorable moment in NFL lore.