At A Glance
- Jalen Carter was ejected six seconds into Eagles–Cowboys opener for spitting on Dak Prescott.
- New NBC video shows Prescott may have spit first, though officials didn’t see it.
- Carter apologized postgame, calling it a mistake, but faces possible NFL suspension.
- NFL’s new 2025 emphasis on “respect for the opponent” could increase discipline.
Dak Prescott and Jalen Carter Spitting Incident Shows There’s More To The Story
The NFL season managed to turn into a bodily-fluid debate before a single play from scrimmage. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected seconds into the opener against the Dallas Cowboys after he spit on Dak Prescott. But a new NBC broadcast angle is muddying the “who spit first” question.
🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 5, 2025
NBC HAS RELEASED THE FOOTAGE OF DAK PRESCOTT FIRST SPITTING TOWARDS THE #EAGLES HUDDLE… SMILING.
JALEN CARTER THEN GOT IN HIS FACE AND SPIT IN HIS FACE.
WOW. SPITGATE SCANDAL CONTINUES.
😳😳😳
pic.twitter.com/atlg7mXDp4
The Prescott Angle
While Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren was down with a knee injury on the opening kickoff, cameras caught Prescott walking toward Carter and appearing to spit in his direction. The spit didn’t seem to connect, and officials didn’t notice it. Prescott later claimed he spits often during games—“ahead” of his linemen so he doesn’t get them dirty—and said Carter misunderstood.
Carter’s Retaliation
Carter clearly hocked one back at Prescott, and that’s the act the refs saw. A flag, a 15-yard penalty, and an ejection followed. Referee Shawn Smith flatly called it “a disqualifiable foul” and “a non-football act.” The Cowboys capitalized on the free yards with a touchdown drive.
Postgame Damage Control
Carter apologized, calling it “a mistake” and promising it wouldn’t happen again, though he may face fines or suspension. Prescott insisted he’d never spit on an opponent and said the whole thing escalated from a misunderstanding. “It was more of a surprise than anything,” he said.
Locker Room Fallout
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the matter would be addressed internally but reminded reporters that Carter “knows we needed him out there today.” Jalen Hurts echoed the point, saying the team needs better discipline overall. Carter, considered one of the NFL’s top young defensive tackles, has little margin for error with the league putting extra emphasis this year on “respect for the opponent.”
So did Prescott spit first? The video suggests he might have, though intent is harder to prove than a loogie sailing in plain sight. Either way, Carter’s the one with the ejection on record—and possibly more discipline from the league office.
