The Cowboys-Eagles rivalry wasted no time producing fireworks on Thursday night. Before the first offensive snap of the season, Philadelphia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected after spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott in full view of an official.
The stunning moment unfolded seconds after the opening kickoff as both teams huddled up. Cameras appeared to show Prescott spitting toward the ground in front of his offensive line, something he later described as part of his normal in-game routine. Carter, however, interpreted it differently, believing Prescott had intentionally spit in his direction.
Prescott was visibly animated in response, approaching Carter before officials stepped in. Carter then launched spit back at the Cowboys quarterback, sealing his fate.
At his postgame press conference, Prescott strongly denied any intent.
“I spit a thousand times throughout the game,” Prescott explained. “I wasn’t going to spit on my lineman and I just spit ahead.
“I actually said words like, ‘Why the hell would I’ – excuse me, but probably even more colorful – ‘what would I need to spit on you for?’ He just spit on me in that moment, it was more of a surprise than anything.”
Prescott called the entire misunderstanding “insulting” but stopped short of celebrating Carter‘s ejection.
“I’m pretty sure [Carter] knows that I didn’t try to spit on him or wasn’t even aiming to spit on him,” he said. “I don’t wish for anybody to be ejected even though it was a positive for us on the drive and throughout the game. Hell of a player like that doesn’t even get a chance in the first play. Unfortunate circumstances.”
Carter’s reaction
For Carter, the ejection ended his night before it ever really began. The 24-year-old, who has been one of the league’s most disruptive defensive linemen since entering the NFL, admitted afterward that emotions got the best of him.
He labeled the spitting incident “a mistake” and promised it would not happen again.
The Cowboys took advantage of Carter‘s absence early, but the Eagles still managed to secure a 24-20 win in the NFC East clash. Even so, the incident will likely draw further attention from the league office, as unsportsmanlike conduct has become a point of emphasis for NFL discipline.
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