On September 5, 2025, league sources told reporters that the NFL does not plan to classify Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s act of spitting on the ground as taunting after the exchange with Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter that resulted in Carter spitting on Prescott’s jersey.
Key Takeaways
- Dak Prescott spat to the ground during a post-play interaction with Jalen Carter on Sept. 5, 2025.
- Carter responded by spitting on Prescott’s shirt; the incident drew immediate attention.
- The NFL currently views Prescott’s ground spit as not meeting the league’s taunting standard.
- A source familiar with the league’s thinking told ProFootballTalk/NBC Sports the act will not be treated as taunting.
- The league discloses fines weekly on Saturdays (a practice started two years ago), so any change would be announced within eight days.
- Given the league’s current assessment, a fine for taunting appears very unlikely.
Verified Facts
During a game on September 5, 2025, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott spat toward the playing surface after a play. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter reacted and subsequently spat on Prescott’s jersey. Both the sequence and the timing of those actions are confirmed by game footage and reporting from NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk.
There is no explicit NFL rule that bans spitting on the ground. The taunting rule is applied to actions that are intended to demean, mock, or unfairly provoke an opponent when combined with other conduct. League personnel reviewed the play and, according to a source familiar with the matter, concluded the ground spit by Prescott does not, by itself, rise to the level of taunting.
Two years ago the NFL began publishing every fine imposed during a given week on the following Saturday. Under that disclosure practice, if the league reconsiders and decides to fine Prescott, the fine would be announced within eight days of the incident.
Context & Impact
The NFL has long balanced on-field gamesmanship with conduct rules intended to limit unsportsmanlike behavior. Isolated gestures can cross a line when they form part of a sustained taunt or are accompanied by additional provocative actions.
Precedent shows officials and league reviewers consider intent, context, and escalation. In this case, league sources say the act was treated as provocation that prompted a response, but not as a standalone taunt warranting discipline for Prescott.
For the teams and fans, the ruling — or non-ruling — affects how future emotional exchanges are policed and may shape player conduct in rivalry matchups. It also underscores how quickly such incidents are reviewed and publicly disclosed under current procedures.
“We do not view the ground spit as taunting in this instance,”
League source, via ProFootballTalk/NBC Sports
Unconfirmed
- Whether Prescott intended the spit specifically to provoke Carter (intent has not been explicitly admitted by the player).
- Any further disciplinary actions beyond a taunting fine, such as team or internal NFL measures, remain unannounced.
Bottom Line
Based on current league review and a source familiar with the situation, Dak Prescott’s ground spit is not expected to be treated as taunting and a fine appears unlikely. If league thinking changes, any fine or discipline would be disclosed on the Saturday following the incident under the NFL’s published schedule.