Lead: On Sept. 4, 2025, during the Eagles–Cowboys game, Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected after spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott; Carter apologized afterward, but former NFL lineman and analyst Jason Kelce publicly defended Carter on social media, drawing significant backlash as the league reviews the episode. The Cowboys lost 24-20.
Key Takeaways
- Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott during the Sept. 4 game.
- Carter issued a postgame apology and acknowledged the mistake.
- Jason Kelce reposted footage and appeared to defend Carter, prompting criticism online.
- NBC footage circulated showing Prescott spitting on the ground near Carter before the altercation.
- Public and former-player reactions largely criticized Kelce’s framing of the event.
- The NFL has not yet announced disciplinary action; league policy targets violent gestures including spitting.
Verified Facts
Before the opening scrimmage on Sept. 4, Jalen Carter was removed from the game after an on-field exchange in which he spat on Dak Prescott. Officials enforced an ejection at the time of the incident. Carter later spoke to the media and said he regretted the action, calling it a mistake and promising it would not happen again.
Shortly after the game concluded with the Cowboys falling 24-20, NBC posted footage that showed Prescott spitting on the ground near Carter in a moments-long sequence before Carter’s response. That footage was reshared by Jason Kelce with a brief caption that implied a different interpretation of events.
Reactions to Kelce’s repost were swift and largely critical. Current and former players, reporters, and fans contrasted Prescott’s apparent spitting on the ground with Carter’s direct act and questioned Kelce’s decision to publicly defend his former teammate in that way.
Context & Impact
Spitting at or on another player is treated seriously under NFL conduct guidelines because it is considered a deliberate act of aggression. Earlier this year, the league signaled it would escalate penalties for violent gestures and unsportsmanlike conduct.
The incident has immediate competitive effects—the Eagles lost a top defensive player for the game—and broader reputational effects for both teams and for Kelce as an analyst who still draws attention on social platforms.
- Team discipline: Clubs often conduct internal reviews in parallel with league inquiries.
- League discipline: Fines or suspensions for spitting have precedent under NFL policy.
- Media reaction: High-profile defenders or critics can shape public perception quickly on social platforms.
Official Statements
‘It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,’
Jalen Carter, postgame remarks
‘I wasn’t going to spit on my lineman and I just spit ahead … I wouldn’t spit on somebody,’
Dak Prescott, postgame remarks
Unconfirmed
- Whether the NFL will impose fines or a suspension on Jalen Carter (league review ongoing).
- The precise intent behind Dak Prescott’s spitting on the ground and whether it was meant to provoke Carter beyond what appears in available footage.
- The motive behind Jason Kelce’s social post—whether it was meant to defend a former teammate or to reframe the incident.
Bottom Line
The Sept. 4 ejection and Jason Kelce’s subsequent social-media defense have intensified scrutiny of player conduct and commentator responsibility. The NFL’s formal review will determine any discipline for Carter; meanwhile the public response highlights how quickly a single exchange can shape narratives around players and analysts.