Dak Prescott explains his version after new video emerges in Eagles’ spit-gate
It was one slimy misunderstanding.
Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter was swiftly ejected from the first game of the NFL season, but there was more to the situation than initially believed.
After the NBC broadcast eventually showed footage of Dak Prescott spitting first, former Cowboys coach and current NBC host Jason Garrett said on the postgame show that Carter thought the quarterback spat at him before the first play of an eventual 24-20 Eagles win in Philadelphia.
Prescott told Garrett he had to spit while talking to Dallas offensive lineman Tyler Booker, although Carter was nearby and saw this.
“You spit at me?” Carter said to Prescott.
Prescott had a big smile awaiting Carter when he responded, “Why would I spit at you?”
Carter quickly spat back on Prescott and was immediately ejected, just moments after the NFL season’s opening kickoff.
“I actually said words like, ‘Why the hell would I’ — excuse me, but probably even more colorful — ‘What would I need to spit on you for?’ He just spit on me in that moment, it was more of a surprise than anything,” Prescott said, according to Pro Football Talk.
Carter apologized to his teammates after the incident.
“It was a mistake that happened on my side. It won’t happen again,” Carter said according to the Associated Press. “I feel bad for just my teammates and fans out there. I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family, also. The fans, they showed the most love.”
It is unclear whether Carter will face further discipline for his actions.
“I know how excited each and every one of us are right to kick off the season and the season opener, and hell of a player like that doesn’t even get a chance in the first play,” Prescott said. “Unfortunate circumstances.”
Some have speculated that Carter could be suspended for multiple games for his actions.
“To hell with just an ejection. Suspend that man,” ESPN star Stephen A. Smith tweeted. “How in the HELL could you do something like that? Inexcusable! Stupid!”
“One factor will be … the manner in which Carter handles the situation after the game,” Mike Florio wrote for Pro Football Talk. “If he’s anything other than fully contrite, the league may decide to send a message stronger than the de facto one-game suspension Carter received…”
Carter was contrite after the game, but it is far from guaranteed that he won’t be suspended.
Dallas now has a mini bye week as it awaits the Giants in Week 2 on Sept. 14.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
