Ashton Jeanty has always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time, but even he couldn’t have predicted his bizarre and unforgettable reunion with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The Boise State star running back—now a high-profile NFL Draft prospect—recently shared the wild story during an appearance on a podcast that has since gone viral for all the right reasons. Equal parts awkward, hilarious, and oddly heartwarming, Jeanty’s recounting of his unexpected run-in with the iconic Cowboys owner proves that truth really is stranger than fiction.
It all started at the NFL Combine, where Jeanty was scheduled to meet with several NFL teams, including the Cowboys. He had already impressed scouts with his explosive lateral quickness and elite-level production over the last two seasons. What he didn’t expect was that the strangest part of the week wouldn’t come on the field or in a meeting room—but at a ritzy Indianapolis steakhouse where fate decided to have a little fun.
“I was just trying to eat,” Jeanty said with a laugh. “Just me and my agent, low-key dinner, nothing fancy. I’m looking at the menu trying to figure out if I want the ribeye or the filet, and all of a sudden I hear someone behind me say, ‘Well hell, look who it is.’”
At first, Jeanty thought maybe a fellow player had recognized him. He turned around expecting to see a college teammate or someone he’d trained with during the offseason. Instead, he was staring into the unmistakable face of Jerry Jones—decked out in a royal blue blazer, cowboy boots, and a mischievous grin.
“I didn’t even know what to say,” Jeanty recalled. “I was like, ‘Hi… Mr. Jones?’ And he goes, ‘You remember me, son?’ Like we were old buddies.”
That’s when it all came flooding back.
About a year earlier, Jeanty had taken a trip to Dallas as part of a community event that partnered college athletes with local businesses. One of the sponsors had deep ties to the Cowboys organization, and they arranged a quick tour of AT&T Stadium. During the tour, Jeanty and a few other players were introduced to Jerry Jones for a photo op that quickly spiraled into chaos.
“We were supposed to just smile, shake hands, take the picture, keep it moving,” Jeanty said. “But someone—I won’t name names—accidentally spilled a bottle of Gatorade all over his shoes. And I was the one who handed him the towel.”
In the moment, Jones had laughed it off, but Jeanty admitted he spent the next 48 hours paranoid that he’d blown a future opportunity with the Cowboys. “I was freaking out. Like, this man is never gonna forget the dude who soaked his boots in Fruit Punch Gatorade.”
Apparently, Jones did remember—but not in the way Jeanty expected.
Back at the steakhouse in Indy, Jones pulled up a chair at Jeanty’s table without even asking. His security detail looked unsure about the whole thing, but Jones waved them off and launched into a full-blown storytelling session about that infamous Gatorade incident.
“He was doing impressions, like full-on reenactments,” Jeanty said, laughing so hard during the interview he had to pause. “He’s like, ‘And then you handed me that towel like you were delivering a baby. I ain’t never seen someone so serious about cleanin’ up a mess.’”
The whole restaurant started watching the scene unfold. Other players and agents tried to pretend they weren’t eavesdropping, but as Jones got louder, it became impossible not to pay attention. At one point, he even flagged down the waiter to ask if they had any Gatorade on the menu, just to keep the joke going.
“I was like, this cannot be real life,” Jeanty said. “Jerry Jones is doing stand-up comedy at my dinner table and I haven’t even ordered yet.”
The evening got even stranger when Jones, seemingly on a whim, decided he wanted to FaceTime his grandson to tell him about “the Gatorade guy” he’d just bumped into again. Jeanty played along, offering a wave to the camera and joking that he had a redemption towel ready just in case.
“He put me on FaceTime with a 12-year-old who had no idea who I was but thought it was hilarious that I’d almost ruined his granddad’s boots,” Jeanty said. “I told him I’d send him some Boise State gear. I think I made a fan.”
After about twenty minutes of comedic storytelling and light-hearted teasing, Jones finally stood up, patted Jeanty on the back, and told him, “You got heart, son. I like that. We’ll be in touch.”
Then he was gone. Just like that.
Jeanty said he and his agent just stared at each other in stunned silence for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. “We didn’t even eat. We just sat there like, ‘What just happened?’”
While it’s unclear whether the Cowboys are seriously targeting Jeanty in the draft, the moment certainly made an impression—on both sides. When asked if the impromptu reunion changed his view of the Cowboys organization, Jeanty nodded.
“I mean, it’s Jerry Jones. The man is a character, but he’s real. He didn’t have to stop and say anything. He didn’t have to remember me, but he did. And whether it was because I embarrassed myself or not, he showed love. That means something.”
For Jeanty, who’s projected to be a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick depending on how the draft unfolds, moments like that offer a unique glimpse into the surreal nature of transitioning to the NFL. One day you’re grinding through shuttle drills and bench press reps, the next you’re reliving a year-old Gatorade spill with one of the most powerful men in football.
“It’s all part of the ride,” Jeanty said. “You never know what’s gonna stick with people. Sometimes it’s your 40 time, sometimes it’s your film—and sometimes it’s the way you wipe up a mess.”
The story has since taken on a life of its own, with fans dubbing him “Gatorade Guy” and even making memes out of what they imagine the spilled drink looked like on Jones’ shoes. Jeanty has taken it all in stride, using the viral moment to connect with fans and show off his sense of humor.
“Look, if this helps me stand out in a room full of dudes who can all play, then hey—I’ll own it,” he said. “At the end of the day, you want teams to know who you are. If that means being the Gatorade guy, I’ll take it. As long as I get to run the ball on Sundays, we’re good.”
Still, he couldn’t help but marvel at the randomness of it all. In a profession known for structure, discipline, and hours of film study, it’s these bizarre little moments that remind players like Jeanty that the game is still very much rooted in human connection.
“I think Jerry saw that I was just being real that day. Not trying to impress anybody, just trying to do the right thing in a weird situation,” he said. “I guess sometimes that leaves more of a mark than any highlight tape ever could.”
And who knows—if the Cowboys do end up drafting him, that moment could become the stuff of franchise folklore. Imagine the headlines: “Gatorade Redemption Arc: Jeanty Joins Cowboys.” Stranger things have happened. Just ask Ashton Jeanty.