UPDATE: The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has just clarified that players can continue using smelling salts, despite the NFL’s recent announcement of a ban. This twist comes just one day after reports surfaced that the league was prohibiting teams from supplying these stimulants for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
According to the NFLPA, the new directive only restricts teams from providing smelling salts, allowing players to bring and use them independently. “We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out,” the NFLPA stated in a message to players, as reported by ESPN on Wednesday. “To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us.”
This clarification comes in the wake of a recommendation from the NFL’s head, neck, and spine committee, which prompted the ban based on a 2024 FDA warning about the potential health risks associated with ammonia inhalants. The FDA cautioned that these substances could mask neurological symptoms, including signs of concussion, raising safety concerns for players.
Smelling salts have long been utilized in sports to enhance alertness and performance. The NFLPA’s announcement is a relief for many players, including George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. Kittle humorously expressed his dismay upon hearing the initial news, stating, “I’ve been distraught all day. I considered retirement. We’ve got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out, somebody come up with a good idea. I miss those already.”
The implications of this ruling are significant as teams and athletes navigate player safety and performance enhancement. Players will be able to continue utilizing smelling salts, ensuring their routines remain intact while the NFL grapples with balancing player health and competitive practices.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on how teams adapt to the new regulations and whether any further changes will arise from ongoing discussions between the NFL and the NFLPA. Fans and players alike are eager to see how this policy will impact the game in the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds.