Why Sportsmanship Emphasis Could Help Chiefs Next Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Next Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch at Arrowhead Stadium could feature not one but two suspended starters, according to insider Adam Schefter.

While the Chiefs struggled through the first half of their Week 1 loss in their first game without Rashee Rice, the Eagles could be without their game-wrecking defensive tackle, Jalen Carter.

“A speech from the spring could be instructive as to where the NFL might end up,” Schefter explained Sunday morning on ESPN.com, referring to a presentation last March at the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

That speech, presented to more than 300 of the teams’ highest-ranking officials by NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, focused on one dangerous threat to the league’s brand: Sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship came into play only six seconds into the 2025 season, before the first play from scrimmage in Thursday’s kickoff opener. Carter was ejected when an official caught him spitting on Dak Prescott.

Jalen Carter, Big Dom — Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field with Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro (R) after being ejected from the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Trickle-down effect already under microscope

Plus, the league is now under further pressure to use Carter as an example after an incident Saturday in Gainesville, Fla. In South Florida’s 18-16 upset at No. 13 Florida on Saturday, with the Bulls driving for the winning score in the fourth quarter, Gators defensive lineman Brendan Bett was ejected for spitting in the face of an opponent.

The incident happened just two days after cameras caught Carter spitting at Prescott.

Certain types of athletes have mush for brains.

How do you see everything that happened with Jalen Carter and then do it yourself two nights later. 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/BemA6vKNq6
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) September 7, 2025

“During that meeting,” Schefter wrote, referring to the March presentation, “Vincent warned coaches, GMs and executives that there would be, as one source recalled, ‘zero tolerance for acts that demean the game,’ and that the league would come down hard on any violators.”

Violator No. 1 was Carter, and the trickle-down effect into the college game has to concern the NFL, which prides itself as setting a good example for future generations of its players.

Thursday was the most inauspicious start to a season in NFL history. More importantly to the Chiefs, Carter could now miss the game.

“It was a mistake that happened on my side,” Carter after the game. “It just won’t happen again. I feel bad, just for my teammates and the fans out there. I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family also. They showed the most love. You heard them out there.

“Just not being to finish the game, or start the game even, finish the game is disappointing. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

His contrition could help the NFL keep its precedent and simply fine Carter rather than suspending him. The league might view the 59 minutes, 54 seconds, he missed in Thursday’s 24-20 Eagles win as a de-facto one-game suspension.

Jalen Carter, Patrick Mahomes — Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Appeal should be heard swiftly

In similar incidents over the last three decades, the league has only fined the expectorating player without suspension.

If Carter is suspended for this week’s game in Kansas City, he’ll likely appeal. The league has traditionally handled appeal hearings quickly, however. In other words, a ruling on Carter’s availability should be final by the time Philadelphia arrives to play the Chiefs.

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