Eagles' Jalen Carter Ejected Seconds Into Season Opener After Spitting Incident

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected just six seconds into the NFL season opener after an official observed him spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, officials and media reports said.

Referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter that an official had seen Carter "spitting on an opponent," calling the act "a disqualifiable foul" and "a non-football act." The Eagles were penalized 15 yards before the first snap, and the Cowboys drove for a 1-yard touchdown by Javonte Williams on the opening possession.

The incident unfolded during a pregame Super Bowl celebration moments after kickoff. Prescott and Carter exchanged words following the opening kickoff, and Carter moved toward Prescott and spit on the quarterback’s jersey before backing away, according to broadcast video. Prescott immediately motioned to a nearby official, who threw a flag and signaled Carter's ejection. Fans at the stadium booed as Carter walked off slowly, helmet in hand.

Carter, 24, was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia and was a key contributor to the Eagles’ run to last season’s Super Bowl title. He had not yet taken an official snap in the 2025 opener when he was disqualified.

The NFL announced it was reviewing the episode, and league sources told reporters the matter could lead to additional discipline beyond the in-game ejection. League insiders said further punishment would likely take the form of fines rather than a suspension, consistent with prior dispositions for similar misconduct. Tom Pelissero, an NFL reporter, wrote that Carter "could face additional discipline" after the disqualification.

The chronology of the skirmish drew further scrutiny after broadcasters and media outlets circulated slow-motion angles that appeared to show Prescott spit first, though the footage indicated his spit landed on the ground and not on Carter. Those images prompted discussion about whether Carter’s action was retaliatory. The NFL statement said it would review all available video and interview relevant participants as part of its process.

On Friday, national commentators criticized the behavior on both sides. ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said on "First Take" he was "utterly disgusted" and called spitting "inexcusable," saying it had no place in the game. Other analysts and team officials emphasized the need for league discipline and the importance of maintaining player conduct standards, particularly during a nationally televised regular-season opener.

The in-game penalty altered the opening field position and momentum. After the 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty was assessed prior to the first snap, the Cowboys capitalized, marching to the start of the contest and scoring on Williams' 1-yard plunge. The ejection left the Eagles without one of their top defensive linemen for the remainder of the night.

Ejections for unsportsmanlike conduct are relatively uncommon and are typically reserved for actions that officials deem to be beyond the scope of ordinary competitive behavior. Shawn Smith described the act as "non-football," underscoring the league's threshold for disqualification.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy are expected to address the incident in postgame remarks and during the week. The NFL's disciplinary office customarily reviews ejections and may impose fines after interviewing involved players and reviewing all footage. The league did not immediately announce any additional penalties.

The episode drew rapid attention because it occurred before the first play and during the league's opening showcase, placing it in front of a large national audience. It also renewed discussion about player conduct, in-game enforcement and how the NFL handles incidents that occur during pre-snap exchanges or team celebrations.

The NFL has discipline precedents for spitting and other unsportsmanlike actions, and investigators will consider the new broadcast angles and statements from both teams before determining whether to levy fines or other sanctions. Until the league completes its review, Carter will be officially listed as ejected for the incident that concluded his participation in the opening night game.

Public reaction on social and traditional media remained swift, with analysts and fans debating both the initial act and the subsequent replay angles. The incident adds to the NFL and teams' immediate post-Super Bowl narrative, placing a spotlight on behavioral expectations as the 2025 season begins.