The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles goes beyond the competition on the field. The intensity from the players reflects the passion of the fanbases, and that was clear from the opening kickoff last Thursday with the clash between Jalen Carter and Dak Prescott.
Carter spat in the face of the Dallas quarterback, sparking an immediate fight between the players right at the start of the game, which led to the Eagles’ defensive tackle being ejected. The NFL has since announced a fine as punishment, but for commentator Stephen A. Smith, that was not enough.
Why Does Stephen A. Smith Believe Jalen Carter Should Be Suspended for One More Game?
The fight between Carter and Prescott in the season opener was something no one saw coming, especially before the first possession had even taken place. Spitting in the face of the Cowboys quarterback was viewed as disrespectful and crossing the line of competitiveness, which ultimately led to his ejection.
We might not be able to figure out what a catch is but we’ve got Jalen Carter’s spit in 4K
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 5, 2025
However, the NFL decided to only fine the player, considering that being ejected so early in the game already served as a form of suspension that did not need to be extended. Carter forfeited his Week 1 game check worth $57,222 but will be eligible to play in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch.
For Smith, that decision was misguided and should have carried over into this week’s matchup, as pulling him from the opener and issuing a fine was not enough given the level of Carter’s disrespect.
“I’m not gonna go crazy either, but I’m not satisfied. I thought he should have been suspended for this week. I thought he should have been suspended for an additional game. You know, to spit on another person, I mean, it doesn’t get much more disrespectful than that,” Smith said.
“I’m not satisfied, I thought [Jalen Carter] should have been suspended for this week. … For an additional game.”@stephenasmith reacts to Jalen Carter being docked $57k for spitting on Dak Prescott 👀 pic.twitter.com/RynzXH9Xbe
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 10, 2025
The suspension was not challenged by the NFL Players Association, which chose not to appeal the punishment. For Carter, this turned out to be the best possible outcome. The fine certainly hit his wallet, but any additional suspension would have meant an even bigger financial penalty, and missing the team’s biggest early-season matchup.
Smith went further, addressing the nature of Carter’s action. Fights on the field are common, as emotions run high during games, with plenty of aggression and clashes on both sides. But spitting in the face of an opponent, Smith argued, was an act of extreme stupidity.
“You spit on a star quarterback for the Cowboys on national television with the referee two feet away. The epitome of stupidity. There’s no way around it. Everywhere you look, it’s just flagrant stupidity. I’m not saying that the guy should be suspended for multiple games or anything like that. But you showed up on the field, you were in uniform, you warmed up.”
Smith also argued that NFL players are viewed as role models because of everything they represent, and Carter’s actions went directly against the image a player should uphold. A suspension for an additional game, he said, would have sent a stronger message that the league does not tolerate this type of behavior and would have avoided the perception that it was merely part of the game.
Either way, Carter will be on the field against the Chiefs in what promises to be one of the season’s most anticipated matchups. Super Bowl rematches are common the following year, and in 2023, the Eagles came out on top against Kansas City after losing the title game. Now it is the Chiefs who are looking for revenge.
