Dak Prescott, Jalen Carter Address ‘Spitgate’ Incident From Cowboys-Eagles Game

The new NFL season kicked off with a messy moment between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates the touchdown of Javonte Williams #33 against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sept. 04, 2025. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

A heated exchange between Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter marred the NFL’s season-opening game on Sept. 4.

During the first quarter of the Eagles’ 24–21 win over the Cowboys, Prescott spit on the ground before the first play of the game while facing Carter. Carter reacted by spitting at him, which led to his ejection.

Carter never played a defensive snap in the game, the first for Carter and the Eagles since winning the Super Bowl in February.

“I guess I needed to spit, and I wasn’t going to spit on my linemen, so I just spit ahead,” Prescott told reporters afterward.

Carter got in Prescott’s face and had words with him before spitting. The incident has become known as “spitgate” in a short period of time in reference to other infamous moments in the NFL over the past 20 years, such as spygate, bountygate, and deflategate.

“He asked, ‘Are you trying to spit on me?’ At that point, I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn’t spit on somebody,” Prescott added. “I’m sure not trying to spit on you, we’re trying to play a game.”

Carter’s ejection impacted the game as the Eagles lost a Pro Bowl defender, and the Cowboys took advantage of it, with 119 yards rushing as a team and two touchdowns on the ground by running back Javonte Williams.

“You know it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter told reporters afterward. “I feel bad for just my teammates and the fans out there. You know, I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family also but the fans, they show the most love.”

It’s not the first on-field incident for Carter in his young career that began in 2023. He drew three unnecessary roughness calls, got benched once over disciplinary reasons, and was fined for a hit in the NFC Championship Game.

“I don’t know that nastiness is the right word. I just think he has to play with the right mindset to reach his potential, or come close to reaching his potential.” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters on Monday. “He’s just got to be on top of the details, play with great effort, and be focused.”

That focus didn’t translate to the first play of the season for Carter. The Eagles may not lose Carter to a suspension, as two similar instances only led to fines in the past 20 years.

Former Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens, also a former Eagles star, spit at former Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeAngelo Hall in 2006. Former Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marcus Peters spat at former Cleveland Browns wideout Jarvis Landry in 2020.

Whether a fine or a suspension is handed down, the Eagles’ defense took care of business by shutting out the Cowboys in the second half on Thursday. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun led the unit with nine tackles and a pass deflection.

Philadelphia will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch for Week 2 on Sept. 14. The Cowboys will look to bounce back against the New York Giants at home next.