Jason Kelce didn't hold back after witnessing an unusual incident during the NFL opener. Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The incident unfolded on September 4 at Lincoln Financial Field, shortly after the game commenced. During an injury timeout, Carter, 24, directed spit at Prescott, resulting in his immediate ejection and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for the Eagles.
Kelce, 37, took to social media to express his disbelief, making a risqué joke about the situation. “This is the most wild start to an NFL season of all time. First play of the game, one player is carted off, the other ejected,” he posted. “I mean everyone knows you don’t spit, you swallow obvi.”
His comments sparked a variety of reactions online. Some followers criticized the crude nature of his joke, questioning its appropriateness. “Would you want your daughters reading something like this? Grow up,” one user remarked, while another added, “Weird thing to say.”
Conversely, others found humor in his words despite the controversy. “Man it’s crazy, hope the player gets a lifetime ban,” one follower noted.
Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith also weighed in on the incident without resorting to humor. He expressed his shock on social media, stating, “WTH did I just see? Jalen Carter — the Best Player on the @Eagles defense — just got thrown out of the game before a freakin snap for SPITTING…SPITTING on @dak.” He further emphasized the severity of the act, calling for a suspension: “How in the HELL could you do something like that? Inexcusable! Stupid! Selfish! #Damn!”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared slow-motion footage of the incident, confirming Carter's ejection for spitting on Prescott.
Earlier in the week, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had praised Carter's potential as a player. “I don’t know that nastiness is the right word,” Fangio, 67, said. “I just think he has to play with the right mindset to reach his potential or come close to reaching his potential. He’s just got to be on top of the details, play with great effort, and be focused.”
