The National Football League (NFL) has decided not to impose fines on the Dallas Cowboys for their recent Thanksgiving-themed touchdown celebrations, which have garnered much attention and amusement. In a remarkable deviation from the norm, the Cowboys' players were seen indulging in turkey legs stored inside Salvation Army kettles after scoring touchdowns during their dominant 45-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23.
As the game neared its conclusion, with just five minutes left on the clock, the Cowboys celebrated a significant touchdown by rushing to the end zone, where they retrieved foil-wrapped turkey legs from the kettle. This act of feasting on the field was an unconventional twist on the tradition of enjoying a turkey leg post-game on national television—a practice that former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS analyst Tony Romo noted as being unprecedented during live gameplay.
A Pre-Planned Celebration
Tracy Wolfson, reporting from the sidelines, revealed that the decision to carry out this celebratory plan was made at the onset of the fourth quarter. The premeditated celebration seemed to fuel the team's spirit, as the Cowboys proceeded to score another touchdown, further cementing their commanding lead.
Key figures such as quarterback Dak Prescott, head coach Mike McCarthy, and team owner Jerry Jones were involved in orchestrating the celebration. Prescott was later captured on camera savoring the turkey leg, while McCarthy appeared entertained by the proceedings on the sidelines.
Fans Surprised by NFL's Leniency
The NFL's decision to forego fines came as a surprise to many, given the league's historical strictness regarding elaborate or unauthorized post-touchdown celebrations. Commonly referred to with the tongue-in-cheek moniker "No Fun League," the NFL has made an exception in this instance, much to the relief of fans who have often criticized the league for its inconsistent enforcement of celebration rules.
This leniency is particularly unexpected considering the NFL's past dealings with the Cowboys. For example, Ezekiel Elliott, the team's former running back, was not fined for jumping into the kettle in 2016 but faced a $13,369 fine for repeating the act in 2018. More recently, both Elliott and Prescott were each fined $13,261 for unsportsmanlike conduct when they used the Salvation Army kettle as a prop during a touchdown celebration against the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
In that same game, a group of four Cowboys tight ends were collectively fined $27,094 for simulating a game of Whac-A-Mole around the kettle following a touchdown, showcasing the league's typically stringent stance on such matters.
Historical Context and Inconsistency
The NFL's history with penalizing celebration antics includes the notable incident involving Michael Thomas. In the 2018 season's Week 9, emulating former teammate Joe Horn's infamous celebration from 2003, Thomas pulled out a hidden flip phone after scoring against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the act drawing praise for its creativity, Thomas was penalized with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and was subsequently fined.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with criticism of the NFL's inconsistent disciplinary measures, especially after a recent revelation. Tyreek Hill's videographer was reportedly banned for the entire season for supplying the star Miami Dolphins wide receiver with a phone to record a backflip celebration—another testament to the league's unpredictable approach to player and non-player conduct alike.
While the NFL's decision not to fine the Dallas Cowboys for their Thanksgiving antics might hint at a softening stance towards celebrations, it remains to be seen whether this marks a shift in policy or a one-off exception. What is clear, however, is that the Cowboys' turkey leg celebration will go down in history as one of the most memorable—and now, officially unpenalized—touchdown celebrations in NFL lore.