Philadelphia Eagles defensive standout Jalen Carter was ejected from the NFL season-opener on Thursday before playing a snap for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Play was paused after an injury to Eagles special teams player Ben VanSumeren on the kickoff at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
Players from both teams were on the field and video showed Carter and Prescott in a heated exchange before Carter spit on the Cowboys star.
Carter was immediately assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and thrown out of the game.
The 24-year-old was contrite after the Super Bowl champion Eagles beat the Cowboys 24-20 in a wild contest that was halted an hour by thunderstorms.
"You know, it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won't happen again," Carter 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. You heard them out there... it won't happen again."
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he would keep his conversations with Carter and any potential team discipline private.
Carter said if punishment is forthcoming from the league "we will handle it."
Carter's exit was a blow for the Eagles. He had 4.5 quarterback sacks and 12 tackles for Philadelphia's top-ranked defense last season.
When the dust settled the Cowboys promptly marched 53 yards in six plays for an opening-drive touchdown, Javonte Williams diving into the end zone for a one-yard score.
But the Eagles took the lead late in the second quarter and never relinquished it.
Video of moments leading up to Carter's action showed Prescott, standing among teammates, spit on the ground -- a gesture that the nearby Carter apparently thought was directed at him.
"I guess I needed to spit and I wasn't going to spit on my linemen," Prescott said. "I just spit ahead... and he goes 'You're trying to spit on me?'
"At that point, I mean, I felt like he was insulting me. I wouldn't spit on somebody. I'm definitely not trying to spit on you. Like, we're about to play a game."
Prescott admitted he was angry as he stepped toward Carter asking "what 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.
"I was like, hell yeah, we get 15 yards to start the game off. (I) didn't realize he was getting ejected. Unfortunate that he did -- hell of a player."
bb/pst
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