Stephen A. Smith Wanted Jalen Carter Suspended, Not Just Fined, After the Spitting Incident With Dak Prescott

The NFL suspended Jalen Carter one game and fined him $57,222 for spitting on Dak Prescott after his opening night ejection.

Stephen A. Smith Wanted Jalen Carter Suspended, Not Just Fined, After the Spitting Incident With Dak Prescott

Jalen Carter, Dak Prescott, Stephen A Smith (Images via The New Yorker/ESPN/Reuters)

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The Philadelphia Eagles started the season with a dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys, a day marred by lightning delays, and there was no lack of drama. Amid an injury delay, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Philadelphia’s defensive tackle Jalen Carter engaged in a heated interaction that resulted in Carter spitting on Prescott’s face.

The incident quickly went viral, with fans even naming the incident, Spitgate. Carter was immediately ejected from the game, a decision that even affected the Cowboys’ tactical game-play calling. After much deliberation, the NFL issued a fine for the defensive tackle instead of any suspension.

According to Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenthal reported that the NFL fined Carter $57,222 for spitting on the quarterback’s face. According to the organization, the suspension is deemed to have been served in Week 1, resulting in the forfeiture of his game check since Carter was disqualified prior to participating in a single play.

The fine came as a surprise to many who expected the organization to issue a suspension for the player. The decision hasn’t been well-received either.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, was among the many who thought that the league should have fined the player. He thought that the act was so heinous and simply a fine was a light punishment for that.

To spit on another person. I mean, it doesn’t get much more disrespectful than that… I’m not saying that the guy should be suspended for multiple games or anything like that, but you showed up on the field… As far as I’m concerned it’s your damn fault you didn’t play the game, but you didn’t miss it either. You were there. Your a** need to be home.

Smith claims the USF spitting incident was a copy cat of the Spitgate involving Jalen Carter

The Jalen Carter-Dak Prescott incident was not the lone incident where a player spat on another amid their heated interaction. In the game between the Florida State Gators and the USF Bulls, a Florida DL, Brendan Bett, spat on the face of the Bulls’ OL during a crucial moment in the game.

Brendan Bett
Brendan Bett (Image via On3)

Bett was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected, giving South Florida 15 free yards. On the very next snap, Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown connected with Alvon Isaac for a 29-yard gain, moving into field goal range with 1:54 remaining. They capitalized on that field goal and secured yet another win against a ranked team and leaped into the Top 25 for the first time in seven years.

The spitting incident was recently brought back into conversation by the ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith who argued that Bett’s actions were modeled after Jalen Carter’s deeds during the season kickoff. Smith called the Philly DT someone young players consider a role model. He added that an action from Carter put out the idea that it is not that serious.

We’re talking about role models, right. We’re talking about making sure the behavior ain’t emulated, right? We’re talking about making sure that you understand the severe ramifications that come with such a heinous, disgusting act like spitting on somebody, right?

Additionally, Smith also noted that Brandon Bett should be fined and suspended for multiple games.

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