00:00Fans and football writers are calling it spit-gate, and the confrontation in the NFL season opener Thursday night is being investigated by the league.
00:09Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected before the first play from scrimmage for, yep, spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
00:22The incident took place after the opening kickoff while the teams waited during an injury timeout.
00:27Carter and Prescott came together after the Cowboys quarterback noticed Carter talking to one of his rookie linemen.
00:35He spit in the direction of Carter, but characterized it as something he does often during a game, and it was not directed at the Eagles star.
00:44That's when Prescott says things escalated.
00:47Where he goes, you trying to spit on me? And at that point, I mean, I felt like, like, like, he was insulting me, like, I don't, I wouldn't spit on somebody.
00:56I'm damn sure not trying to spit on you. Like, we're about to play a game. I'm wondering why you're trying to mess with the rookie.
01:01And so when I stepped through, I actually said the words, like, what the hell would I, excuse me, but I'm probably even more colorful.
01:05What would I need to spit on you for? And he just spit on me in that moment, and it was more of a surprise than anything.
01:11Refs obviously saw it through the flag. I was like, hell yeah, we get 15 yards to start the game off.
01:17Didn't realize he was getting ejected.
01:18Who spit first doesn't matter.
01:21Referee Sean Smith told a pool reporter one of the officials observed him spitting on an opponent.
01:27It's a disqualifiable foul in the game. It's a non-football act.
01:32Carter is widely regarded as the best player on the Eagles' number one ranked defense.
01:36He was a big part of last year's Super Bowl winning season,
01:40and the Cowboys seemingly had an easier time in the early part of Thursday's game with Carter in the locker room.
01:47He apologized for his conduct after the game.
01:50You know, it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won't happen again.
01:55I feel bad for just my teammates and the fans out there.
01:59Those fans in Philadelphia went home happy anyway.
02:01The Eagles won 24-20, though it was a lot closer than most expected.
02:07Prescott said afterwards, no hard feelings.
02:10I feel sorry for him in the sense of, yeah, I mean, I know how excited each and every one of us are, right,
02:16to kick off the season and the season opener, and a hell of a player like that doesn't even get a chance in the first play.
02:23Yeah, unfortunate circumstances.
02:25The league may not be as accommodating.
02:28Carter faces a hefty fine for his actions and could face a suspension.
02:32Officials are placing a renewed emphasis on sportsmanship this season,
02:36and an incident like Spitgate is not something the commissioner's office will ignore.
02:42For Straight Arrow News, I'm Chris Francis.
