Thursday’s curtain-raising NFL game was meant to be a celebration of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning marketing campaign final yr. But earlier than even the primary play from scrimmage of the 2025 NFL season, there was controversy.
After the opening kickoff towards the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, a flag was thrown by the officers and Eagles star lineman Jalen Carter was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct – simply six seconds into the brand new season – a lot to the bemusement of many in attendance at Lincoln Financial Field.
As boos rained down from the Philly crowd and Carter trudged to the locker-room, TV cameras confirmed Carter showing to spit at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
NBC cameras later confirmed Prescott spitting in the path of Carter earlier than the All-Pro had gotten in the quarterback’s face.
Carter later apologized for his actions, saying he made a “mistake.”
“I feel bad for just my teammates and fans out here,” the 24-year-old stated. “I’m doing it for them. Doing it for my family also but fans, they show the most love. … It won’t happen again. I’ve already made that promise.”
Prescott, nevertheless, downplayed the spitting incident, claiming he was making an attempt to “mess” with certainly one of his offensive lineman and felt the “need” to spit, which riled Carter up.
“He asked or goes: ‘Are you trying to spit on me?’” Prescott advised reporters. “At that time, I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn’t spit on any individual and I’m rattling positive not making an attempt to spit on you, we’re making an attempt to play a recreation and I’m questioning why you’re making an attempt to mess with the rookie (Tyler Booker).
“I step through and say the words: ‘Why the hell – excuse me probably even more colorful – but why would I spit on you for?’ He just spit on me in that moment, and it was more of a surprise than anything.”
It didn’t cease the Eagles starting their title protection with a victory, beating the Cowboys 24-20.
But afterwards, Carter’s actions have been the principle speaking level in addition to any potential punishment Carter may face for his actions.
One factor that’s unanimous is the criticism of gamers who spit at their opponents.
Carter isn’t the primary NFL participant to take action and, if he does face punishment, the lineman wouldn’t be the primary to be penalized for spitting on an opponent.
Denver Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski was fined $7,500 for spitting in the face of San Francisco 49ers receiver JJ Stokes in 1997. In January 2006, Washington’s Sean Taylor was ejected and fined $17,000 for spitting on Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Michael Pittman. Later in the yr and the next season, Cowboys huge receiver Terrell Owens was fined $35,000 for spitting in the face of Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
Each incident has led to extreme criticism from the NFL fraternity, highlighting the shortage of respect that comes with the act.
NFL Hall of Famer and then-Broncos teammate of Romanowski’s, Shannon Sharpe, described being “livid” when he discovered what the linebacker had achieved in 1997.
“That’s the worst thing you can do,” he said in 2024 on his “Nightcap” podcast. “You spit on the ground. You spit on me, you’re telling me I’m lower than the ground.”
Similarly, Hall stated his opinion on Owens had modified after being spat at by the huge receiver.
“You don’t spit in another grown man’s face. Hopefully, the NFL can see it and go back and watch the film just before the first punt of the game,” Hall stated, per ESPN. “We were kind of walking face to face, and he just hauled off and spit in my face. I lost all respect for the guy, man, after that.”
When reached by NCS Sports, the NFL stated it wouldn’t remark particularly on the state of affairs involving Carter, however famous that “a player who is disqualified could face potential further discipline in the form of a suspension or fine.”
“If I get that text or that call and have that conversation, we will handle it,” Carter stated when requested a couple of potential punishment.
When requested about whether or not Carter would face any inner punishment from the Eagles, head coach Nick Sirianni advised reporters that he’ll maintain these conversations non-public.
“We will handle it,” he stated.
If Carter is suspended, it will be a giant blow to an Eagles protection which performed a giant half in the workforce successful the Super Bowl final season.
He was named to the second-team All-Pro and offered loads of key defensive moments to assist Philadelphia to their championship-winning marketing campaign.