NFL Smelling Salts 'Ban' Gets Clarification: Sniffing Own Supply Is A-OK!
NFL players aren't losing their smelling salt privileges.
The NFL stirred up some drama after word of a ‘ban’ on smelling salts had players ready to retire.
George Kittle, the 49ers’ tight end and smelling salts junkie, dropped the bombshell earlier this week, revealing the league sent out a memo that seemed to outlaw the ‘pick-me-up’ salts.
Guys like Baker Mayfield and Lavonte David (speaking to Kay Adams) aired their grievances over the rule change in a wave of complaints.
Inglewood, California October 6, 2024-Rams defensive end Kobie Turner takes a sniff of smelling salt during a game against the Packers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood Sunday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
To quell the uprising over this locker room staple, the NFL Players Association stepped in with a fast clarification of the new rule.
On Wednesday, via the AP, they clarified that players can still BYO smelling salts — teams just can’t be the ones handing them out like pregame candy.
The NFLPA memo laid it out: "We’re aware of the league’s Tuesday memo on smelling salts and ammonia capsules. Nobody looped us in before it dropped. To be clear, this isn’t a ban on players using them; it just stops teams from playing supplier. The NFL confirmed as much."
Ongoing debates within NFL circles discuss whether these ammonia hits are a game-changer or just a spicy placebo.
As OutKick previously wrote, Kittle’s gripe set off a tidal wave of player complaints, and Kittle himself was half-joking that the ‘ban’ had him eyeing retirement.
"I’m just here to vent," Kittle said, leaning into the mic. "We got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets are apparently illegal in the NFL now. I’ve been spiraling all day."
Kittle’s panic attack is over … the NFL’s not snatching smelling salts, just stopping teams from playing dealer.
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