The first game of the 2025 NFL season not only ended with a narrow win for the Philadelphia Eagles over the Dallas Cowboys (24-20), it also sparked a moment that continues to generate buzz: defensive lineman Jalen Carter spitting at Dak Prescott.
It all started when NBC cameras caught Prescott spitting on the ground during an injury timeout at Lincoln Financial Field. Carter, who was nearby, mistakenly interpreted that the quarterback had spit at him. His reaction was immediate and excessive: he spit back at the Cowboys leader.
Dak Prescott’s version
After the game, Prescott explained what happened:
“I just needed to spit, I was next to my linemen and did it forward, with no intention of offending anyone. Suddenly Carter asked me if I had spit at him and before I could clarify, he spit back at me. I was more surprised than anything else,”said the quarterback.
Carter’s response was not only unnecessary, it also came at a cost. Officials ejected him in the first quarter, a loss that affected Philadelphia’s defense, although the team managed to win at home.
Jerry Jones comments on the incident
During an interview on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked about Carter’s controversial action. His response didn’t go unnoticed:
“I liked seeing his teeth hit the ground when he left, because he’s a fabulous player. But I felt that, somehow, the man upstairs balanced things out. We didn’t have Micah (Parsons), and suddenly they’re without Carter,” Jones said with irony.
Beyond the comment, the reality is that Carter is a key piece in the Eagles’ defense, and his absence was felt.
NFL issues strong sanction against Jalen Carter
The league didn’t take long to respond. The NFL ruled that the ejection would count as a one-game suspension, meaning Carter will be eligible to return in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The punishment not only prevents him from playing, it also costs him the paycheck for the game against Dallas, amounting to $57,222. Carter, a former first-round pick from Georgia, chose not to appeal the sanction.
Although the suspension is already set, many fans believe the punishment was too light for such unsportsmanlike conduct. The most critical voices insist that if Carter repeats this behavior, the NFL must impose an exemplary penalty to protect the integrity of the game.
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