Is Jalen Carter suspended for Week 2 clash vs Chiefs? Eagles star hit with hefty fine for spitting incident
Jalen Carter's punishment for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been revealed.
The ugly incident occurred during the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 1 win against the Dallas Cowboys but before a single snap was played.
Jalen Carter will play against the Kansas City Chiefs
Carter will forfeit his Week 1 game check worth $57,222 but will be available for the Eagles' Week 2 Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The league announced on Tuesday that Carter's ejection from last week's game against the Cowboys will serve as the defensive tackle's suspension.
Media personality Stephen A. Smith wanted the NFL to suspend the 'selfish' star.
What happened between Carter and Prescott?
The pair, standing face-to-face, exchanged words before Carter took aim at his opponent's jersey and backed away.
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Footage later surfaced that showed Prescott spitting first, but not directly at Philadelphia's third-year star, who was immediately flagged and ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Carter made his way off the field carrying his helmet behind his back and watched as the Super Bowl champion Eagles won a tight game 24-20.
NFL's crackdown on unsportsmanlike conduct
It was also announced last month that the league will be emphasizing sportsmanship and cracking down on certain gestures this season, urging players to stay on the right side of the rules.
Under new unsportsmanlike conduct rules, the NFL has expanded prohibited acts to include banning the 'nose wipe' gesture that league executive Troy Vincent said is affiliated with gangs.
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Other gestures like the throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive, are also banned.
"The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It's just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on," NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson said.
While Carter's actions didn't involve any of those gestures, he was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, and could face further punishment.
How much have NFL players been fined for spitting in the past?
In 2020, former Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marcus Peters was fined $12,500 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct after appearing to spit at Cleveland Browns WR Jarvis Landry as he walked away from him. Peters was not suspended.
Nearly two decades ago, back in 2006, Terrell Owens was also fined but not suspended when he spat on Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall.
The incident cost Owens $35,000, but wasn't ejected from the game because officials were unaware the incident had occurred.
In the days that followed, Hall had called for the league to suspend his opponent.
"I think, for what he did, he deserves more than a fine," the Falcons player said of Owens at the time.
"The guy has all the money in the world. He's making $10 million or whatever this year. So what's a fine going to mean to him, really?"
What did Carter say after spitting at Prescott?
In the locker room on Thursday night, Carter offered an apology to his teammates and fans after the incident with Prescott, and promised it won't happen again.
"You know it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won't happen again," he told reporters after the game.
"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.
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"You heard them out there and not being able to start the game to finish the game just f***ed me up, but it won't happen again."
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