Jalen Carter managed to produce arguably the single worst start to an NFL season of all-time.
The Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro defensive tackle Carter was ejected from Thursday’s 2025 season opener against the Dallas Cowboys … before a single snap was even played. The Cowboys received possession first at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., and only six seconds had elapsed after the opening kickoff.
While about to line up for Dallas’ first possession, Carter got an early start on the hostilities and started chirping at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the two teams were even set at the line of scrimmage. Inexplicably, Carter proceeded to then spit on Prescott.
A referee was right on top of the play and immediately threw a flag. Ultimately, the officials issued Carter an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejected him from the game on the spot. Here is the video.
Jalen Carter was ejected from the Eagles’ season opener after appearing to spit at Dak Prescott.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 5, 2025
( NBC) pic.twitter.com/HbETVk1ALd
Take a look at a closer angle of Carter clearly hocking a loogie at Prescott.
Here is Jalen Carter spitting on Dak Prescott: pic.twitter.com/4F5BjEDLHf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2025
It doesn’t get much more boneheaded than that for Carter. He is the single most important defensive player for the Eagles and was presumably the focal point of the opposing gameplan for the Cowboys. But instead of making a positive contribution on Thursday, Carter lost his head and got himself thrown out of a massive season opener against a division rival while kicking off a Super Bowl defense … all before even playing a single snap.
Meanwhile, getting ejected from a game for spitting is usually something that you only see in the college ranks. It is certainly not something that you would expect from a Super Bowl champion and defensive leader like Carter.
