Stephen A. Smith brings up Jalen Carter's infamous 2023 car crash while going scorched earth on Eagles DT for spitting on Dak Prescott

Stephen A. Smith brings up Jalen Carter
Stephen A. Smith brings up Jalen Carter's past - Source: Getty

Jalen Carter's spitting incident at Dak Prescott made for one of the most bizarre openings to a season in NFL history. Even before a snap had been taken, the Eagles defensive tackle spat at the Cowboys quarterback and was immediately ejected.

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The following morning on "First Take," Stephen A. Smith brought up Carter's previous transgression in 2023. Carter was involved in a car crash that killed two people in January 2023. University of Georgia staff member Chandler LeCroy and football player Devin Willock died in the crash while racing with Carter.

Carter received a $1,000 fine in March after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing.

On Friday, Smith claimed that no one had thought about the incident until now.

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"You spit on Dak Prescott, you don't think somebody's going to see that? Just the dumbest possible thing. ... Remember that car crash incident that you got into in 2023 that ultimately led to you falling to the ninth pick in the NFL draft when you were projected as the number one overall pick? Nobody thought about that until last night. ... what you do and how you act stays with you."
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A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, as the party who pleads it essentially claims innocence but admits that they don't possess the evidence to prove otherwise.

Jalen Carter’s spitting incident sets ominous tone to early payday hopes

Jalen Carter at Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jalen Carter at Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Jalen Carter, like the vast majority of first-round picks from Cam Ward to C.J. Stroud, spends his first years in the league aiming to make a case to earn a coveted second contract. Carter, now in his third season, is entering a window that could define his career.

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After putting up fewer sacks in 2024 (4.5) than in 2023 (6.0), the pressure to deliver in a big way in 2025 has reached new heights. However, by getting himself ejected on one of the biggest nights on the NFL calendar, he has given the Philadelphia Eagles a big reason to hold off on the second contract, even if he delivers at a high level.

According to Spotrac, Jalen Carter's current deal will conclude after the 2026 season, unless the team exercises a fifth-year option. If Carter doesn't deliver remarkable production, even that outcome could be in jeopardy.

Dallas Cowboys Fans! Check out the latest Cowboys Schedule and dive into the Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Ian Van Roy
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