The Philadelphia Eagles finally unveiled their Super Bowl banner. The Linc was rocking, the lights were flashing, the crowd was deafening—and then, before fans even settled in for the first snap, one of the dumbest things you’ll ever see on a football field happened. Jalen Carter, one of Philly’s brightest defensive stars, got himself ejected for spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Instead of basking in championship glory, Eagles fans had to watch a player tank his night in under a minute.
The Rivalry Deserved Better
Cowboys vs. Eagles isn’t just a football game. It’s war wrapped in shoulder pads. NBC hyped it all week: Super Bowl champs vs. America’s self-proclaimed team, Dak vs. Hurts, defense vs. offense. What we got instead was a junior-high cafeteria fight with saliva flying through the air before the offense even broke huddle. This rivalry has produced bruising hits, miracle plays, and nail-biting finishes. But “spit-gate”? This wasn’t the kind of fire fans wanted.
Did Dak Spit First?
Now, to be fair, NBC replays showed Prescott may have spit in the general direction of the Eagles’ defensive huddle. He even grinned after doing it. Maybe it was innocent, maybe it was a little jab. But here’s the thing—if Dak’s spit wasn’t aimed at Carter or an Eagle, then Carter’s retaliation was flat-out despicable. There’s a massive difference between bad optics and directly hocking one on your opponent. Carter crossed that line in a way that can’t be excused.
Carter’s Instant Exit
Spitting on an opponent isn’t just gross—it’s a “non-football act” under NFL rules. That’s why the ref wasted no time tossing Carter, calling it “a disqualifiable foul.” Before the Eagles even ran their first play from scrimmage, one of Philly’s most dominant defenders was already in the locker room. The defense adjusted and played tough without him, but it’s not a great look when your Pro Bowl-caliber lineman is making headlines for hygiene crimes instead of sacks.
Ratings Gold, Sportsmanship Dumpster Fire
Let’s not kid ourselves—the NFL secretly loves drama. A banner night, a lightning delay, and then a spit scandal? Social media was on fire. “Dak vs. Jalen” trended for hours, complete with Zapruder-film level breakdowns of spit angles and trajectories. It was like CSI: NFL. But for fans, it was exhausting. The game itself deserved the spotlight, not playground antics that left everyone wondering who has the maturity of a middle schooler.
The Game That Got Lost in the Spit Storm
For those who actually cared about the football: the Eagles pulled off a 24–20 win. Jalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns, the defense held strong without Carter, and Philly reminded Dallas why the road to the NFC still runs through South Philly. The Cowboys made it interesting late, but banner night ended with confetti and cheers instead of groans. Eagles fans deserved that after the Carter fiasco tried to steal the show.
The Rivalry Marches On
Look, Cowboys fans will milk this moment for weeks, pretending Dak came out of it as some kind of saint. Eagles fans will shake their heads and admit it: Carter embarrassed the team. But one thing is certain—the Eagles vs. Cowboys rivalry just got another infamous chapter. From Bounty Bowls to snowballs to spitballs, no two teams can turn pure hatred into entertainment quite like these two.
Carter Needs to Grow Up
At the end of the day, Jalen Carter owes his teammates, his coaches, and the fans an apology. Whether Dak spit first or not, Carter is the one who got ejected before the game even started, hurt his team, and became the story. Eagles fans wanted to remember the night they raised a banner, not the night their star defensive tackle turned into a headline for all the wrong reasons. Do better, big man.
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
