The National Football League (NFL) has chosen not to impose fines on the Dallas Cowboys for their recent Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations, which deviated from the norm but captured the hearts of fans during their game against the Washington Commanders. The incident took place on November 23, as the Cowboys cruised to a 45-10 victory.
In an unexpected twist, the Cowboys had hidden turkey legs inside Salvation Army kettles located near the end zones—a playful nod to the holiday spirit. After a pivotal fourth-quarter touchdown, players were seen dashing to the kettle to retrieve and enjoy the foil-wrapped turkey legs. This celebration, with just five minutes left in the game, was both amusing and eyebrow-raising for those watching.
Traditionally, the victorious team savors a turkey leg post-game on national television. CBS analyst and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo noted it was unprecedented, saying it was the first time he had "seen someone eat before the game's over." Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson revealed that the Cowboys' sideline made the decision to go ahead with the celebration at the start of the fourth quarter, adding an extra layer of excitement as the team scored another touchdown to cement their win.
A Team Effort
Key figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and owner Jerry Jones were all reportedly in on the planning. Prescott was later spotted savoring his turkey leg on the sidelines, while McCarthy appeared to be amused by the proceedings.
Unexpected Leniency from the NFL
The NFL's decision not to fine the Cowboys came as a surprise to many, given the league's historically strict stance on elaborate or unauthorized post-touchdown celebrations. The NFL, sometimes derisively referred to as the 'No Fun League,' has deemed this particular instance an exception to its usual rules.
This leniency is particularly surprising considering the league's history with the Cowboys and similar antics. In 2016, Ezekiel Elliott avoided a fine for jumping into the kettle, but in 2018, he was fined $13,369 for repeating the act. More recently, in 2022, both Elliott and Prescott faced $13,261 fines each for using the Salvation Army kettle as a prop during a touchdown celebration in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Additionally, the Cowboys’ tight ends group was fined a collective $27,094 for engaging in a Whac-A-Mole-style celebration around the kettle on Thanksgiving Day of the same year. These examples illustrate the typically stringent approach the league takes toward unsanctioned celebrations.
One notable incident involved Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. Emulating a famous celebration by Joe Horn in 2003, Thomas hid flip phones under each goalpost, which he used after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9 of the 2018 season. While the act garnered attention and praise, it also earned Thomas a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a hefty fine.
Inconsistency in Enforcement
The NFL has been criticized for its inconsistent enforcement of celebration-related penalties. A recent example cited on social media involves Tyreek Hill’s videographer, who received a season-long ban for supplying the Miami Dolphins wide receiver with a phone to record a backflip. This discrepancy in discipline between players and non-players continues to be a contentious topic among fans and commentators alike.
As the league evolves and attempts to balance sportsmanship with entertainment, the Cowboys' Thanksgiving celebration will likely be remembered as a moment when the NFL showed a softer side, much to the delight of football enthusiasts. Whether this signals a shift in policy or merely a one-time exception remains to be seen, but for now, the Cowboys can enjoy their turkey without any financial repercussions.