​Jerry Jones’ response shows why Cowboys are taking $500K fine seriously originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints have each been hit with a $500,000 fine by the NFL following multiple altercations during their joint practice on Tuesday. The league announced the penalties on Thursday, citing repeated fights between players that raised concerns over player safety and sportsmanship.According to an NFL spokesperson, every team received a memo before training camp reminding organizations of their responsibility to prevent unsportsmanlike conduct during joint practices, particularly incidents that could increase the risk of injuries.Jones acknowledged the punishment was significant, calling it a “stiff” fine, while confirming that the Cowboys intend to challenge the league’s decision through the appeals process.”[The fine] does make the point that it’s a serious matter and it starts with everybody at all levels of a club — and the clubs in this case where two are practicing together,” Jones said on Thursday. “It really emphasizes the league’s intent to control it from the very top, which when they start dealing out those kinds of fines, they get your attention.”The Cowboys-Saints altercations were part of a growing trend around the league, as Thursday marked the fourth straight day of joint NFL practices that featured fights or heated confrontations between players.During Tuesday’s session, tempers flared on both practice fields after the Cowboys and the Saints split into offense-versus-defense drills. Punches were reportedly thrown during multiple incidents, forcing to halt practice several times as players from both sidelines rushed in to join the scuffles.Jones admitted that practices can quickly get out of control because there are fewer immediate consequences compared to games.”This game is physical and it’s easy to get involved with aggressive temperaments,” Jones said. “All of that makes it a real focal point in the league to stay within good sport. And taking off helmets off and swinging and hitting and that type of thing is not good for anybody and it’s certainly not what we want to represent to our fans as a league or as a team. So it’s understandable how they’re coming down with a real severe fines.”Jones also revealed that Donovan Ezeiruaku is expected to receive an individual fine for his involvement in the incidents. Ezeiruaku started nine games during his rookie season and recorded two sacks.More NFL news:Brian Schottenheimer accused of breaking the first rule of ‘Fight Club’ after Cowboys-Saints brawlTexans land emergency QB to back up C.J. Stroud after season-ending injuryKay Adams turns heads with viral pose at final day of Cowboys training campEagles’ 53-man roster projection reveals surprise names after Ravens lossCowboys legend gets wife’s green light for ‘last year’ after winning Super Bowl