Jalen Carter Appeals NFL Fine, Calls Out “Unfair” Discipline for Himself and Dak Prescott
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is not backing down after his controversial Week 1 ejection against the Dallas Cowboys. His response has added even more fire to one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
The incident unfolded early, when Carter was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after spitting on quarterback Dak Prescott. Officials not only flagged the play but also ejected him, leaving the Eagles short-handed in a critical game.
In the aftermath, outrage exploded across social media, with Cowboys fans demanding harsher punishment while Eagles supporters argued the decision was already too severe. Carter’s silence ended when he chose to speak directly on the matter.
Jalen Carter was punished more for spitting on Dak then when he killed someone
pic.twitter.com/ljo97g9LoS— Ryan Sobol (@Sobolslam) September 5, 2025
That moment came with news of a staggering $56,222 fine levied by the NFL. Carter immediately filed an appeal, insisting the combination of penalty, ejection, and financial punishment was “excessive” given what actually happened on the field.
“I know what I did to Dak wasn’t smart. But calling it a 15-yard penalty, then ejecting me, and hitting me with a heavy fine? That feels excessive. I didn’t throw a punch, I didn’t hurt anyone, Dak still played. Dak, speak up yourself instead of letting Cowboys fans flood my page with hate,” Carter said.
The league has yet to comment on the appeal timeline. Historically, similar cases have drawn smaller fines, leading many observers to wonder if the NFL is trying to make an example of Carter.
For the Eagles, the fallout is about more than just money. Carter is a cornerstone of their defensive front, and lingering discipline questions could affect Philadelphia’s depth in the weeks ahead.
As the process plays out, Carter’s words ensure the spotlight won’t dim anytime soon. In a rivalry already fueled by bad blood, the defensive tackle has made it clear he won’t stay silent.
Aaron Rodgers Sets Steelers Debut Record With Four Touchdowns in Win Over Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made notable history the team’s win over the New York Jets. Rodgers broke multiple pretenders for the Steelers, including becoming the first quarterback in five seasons to throw four touchdowns for the team.
The last quarterback to do it was Ben Roethlisberger in the team’s Wild Card Round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns in 2021. Roethlisberger did it twice that season, but the Steelers’ offensive futility prevented them from nearing that mark in recent seasons.
However, no other Steelers quarterback has thrown for four or more touchdowns in their Steelers debut other than Rodgers. He is the first one to do that in team history.
Rodgers’ top performance was no surprise to the team, who thought he would do this after seeing him in training. Head coach Mike Tomlin said the four-time MVP was ‘game’ all day.
“I just thought he was game all day. But again, you guys asked me last week, why was I confident. That’s why I was confident. That’s what I’ve been looking at in preparation, and I’m appreciated of it, not only his efforts but the efforts of the collective,” Tomlin said.
He finished 22 of 30 with four touchdowns and zero interceptions with 244 passing yards. That performance helped power the Steelers to the win more than anything else.
