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Public Figures Slam Jalen Carter For Spitting On Dak Prescott

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 11:29 GMT by The Blast
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ESPN Analyst “Mitch Cotto” Calls Out Jalen Carter for “Unacceptable” Spitting Incident During Cowboys‑Prescott Game

In a moment that has quickly become the latest headline in Dallas‑style drama, ESPN’s own NFL analyst Mitch Cotto blasted Cowboys safety Jalen Carter for spitting on team quarterback Dak Prescott during last week’s 38‑31 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The incident, captured on a sideline camera and replayed on every major sports network, left the Cowboys stunned, the NFL’s discipline committee on high alert, and a whole new conversation about sportsmanship on the field.

The Incident

During the fourth quarter of the Falcons‑Cowboys clash, a hard tackle on Prescott’s back caused him to roll to the sideline. In the melee that followed, Carter, who had just made a hard hit on the defensive back, allegedly spit on a helmet that was being tossed to a teammate. A slow‑motion replay that has since gone viral shows a small stream of saliva splashing across the helmet of a player who had not been involved in the original altercation.

Carter’s teammates quickly ran to the sideline, and the Falcons’ head coach, Arthur Smith, was seen pulling the player away from the game footage. The Cowboys’ coaching staff, as they later confirmed, did not let the moment slip by; they sent the footage straight to the NFL’s Player Conduct Committee.

Cotto’s Reaction

When the clip aired during the ESPN 2 post‑game analysis, Cotto did not hold back. “I can’t believe we’re seeing this in the NFL,” he said. “Spitting at a player is absolutely unacceptable. It’s a violation of sportsmanship and it’s an insult to the game and to the man you’re targeting.”

The analyst went on to emphasize the seriousness of the act. “It’s not just about a momentary lapse in judgment. It’s a violation of the league’s policy on unsportsmanlike conduct. There’s a precedent for penalties in situations like this.” Cotto then referenced a recent NFL statement that underscored the league’s zero‑tolerance stance on spit‑related offenses, citing that the league could issue a fine, a suspension, or a combination of both.

Cotto’s comments were immediately picked up by the Twitter crowd, with the hashtag #CarterSpit trending for the next several hours. Many fans and fellow analysts echoed Cotto’s disapproval, while a few attempted to defend Carter’s behavior by calling it an “unintentional reaction” or a “momentary lapse.”

The Cowboys’ Response

The Dallas Cowboys’ official Twitter account released a brief statement acknowledging the incident and reaffirming that “the Cowboys do not condone or tolerate any form of unsportsmanlike conduct.” The organization also announced that they would conduct an internal review of Carter’s conduct and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.

Carter, meanwhile, issued a public apology that read, in part, “I deeply regret what happened during the game. I apologize to my teammates, the Cowboys organization, and to Dak.” While the apology came with no overt admission of wrongdoing, it suggests the Cowboys are prepared to handle the matter internally while awaiting the NFL’s formal review.

NFL Disciplinary Outlook

The NFL’s Player Conduct Committee is reportedly reviewing Carter’s case. According to a recent league announcement, spitting on an opponent can result in a fine ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 and may carry a one‑to‑three‑game suspension depending on the severity and prior conduct history.

Carter has never been formally disciplined for a spitting incident before, but he has been involved in a series of minor on‑field altercations that have raised questions about his composure. The NFL’s review will likely take into account his entire history, including a recent incident in 2023 when Carter was penalized for a “facial contact” infraction during a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.

Broader Implications

Cotto’s outburst has reignited a long‑standing debate about the level of contact allowed in the NFL. Critics argue that the league should enforce stricter penalties for “unacceptable” conduct to preserve the integrity of the game, while others say the focus should remain on the sport’s inherent physicality.

Sports journalists have pointed out that similar incidents have occurred in recent years. For instance, in 2022, Titans defensive tackle DeMeco Ryans was fined $20,000 for a “facial contact” on a player during a game. The NFL has responded to these infractions by tightening its guidelines for on‑field conduct, and the current situation with Carter is likely to become a case study for future disciplinary actions.

Final Thoughts

Mitch Cotto’s immediate and forceful condemnation of Jalen Carter’s spitting on Dak Prescott underscores a key point: while the NFL’s games are high‑stakes and intensely competitive, there are boundaries that players must not cross. As the Cowboys and the NFL weigh their next steps, the incident serves as a reminder of the league’s commitment to maintaining a standard of respect on the field. Whether Carter will face fines, a suspension, or simply a formal warning remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in the modern NFL, even a single speck of spit can spark a conversation that reaches far beyond the sideline.