Dak Prescott and Jalen Carter starred in the spit that kicked off the season

The NFL didn’t need more than six seconds to dive headfirst into scandal. In the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Carter was thrown out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. The defensive lineman spit directly onto Dak Prescott’s chest. Cameras caught the moment, and the officials didn’t hesitate. Carter was immediately ejected. What looked like a one-off reaction quickly unraveled into a much bigger storyline.

According to TheSportsRush, rumors began swirling shortly after Jalen Carter’s ejection that Dak Prescott may have spit first. A new camera angle showed the Cowboys quarterback spitting near a group of Eagles players, sparking what fans are now calling “Spitgate.” Social media exploded, and even former Eagles center Jason Kelce chimed in with a cryptic post on X: “And the truth shall set you free,” seemingly in defense of Carter.

A closer look at the footage

But after reviewing the video more carefully, it was confirmed that Dak Prescott’s spit landed on the ground and didn’t hit any opposing players. The officials were right not to penalize him. Jalen Carter, on the other hand, did spit directly onto Prescott’s body. His ejection was justified and could lead to further disciplinary action from the league.

So Dak spit first huh?!?! pic.twitter.com/xF6EXpC2hb

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 5, 2025

The incident made for a dramatic start to the season and reignited the long-standing rivalry between the Cowboys and the Eagles. It also sparked debate about how the NFL handles retaliation versus provocation. Dak Prescott stayed in the game but couldn’t rally his team to a win. After a lightning delay in the third quarter, neither side scored again. The Eagles walked away with a 24-20 victory, kicking off their title defense with a tense win.

Beyond the scoreboard. The clash between Dak Prescott and Jalen Carter proved that in today’s NFL, gestures matter just as much as plays. And in a league where every second counts, even a spit can shift the momentum of a game—and the narrative around it.