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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle crashed his teammate Fred Warner’s interview on Tuesday to express his dissatisfaction with a recent league decision.
The NFL informed all teams about a ban on smelling salts before and during games, a decision that has left the Bay Area tight end unhappy.
“I honestly just came up here to air a grievance,” Kittle said on NFL Network. “Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I’ve been distraught all day.”
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, #85, looks on in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 5, 2025. (Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images)
Kittle, a regular user of smelling salts for an energy boost before offensive drives, expressed his disappointment with the ban.
“I miss those already,” he added.
The memo states that teams are prohibited from providing or supplying ammonia in any form, including smelling salts, before and during games. This ban also extends to pregame activities, halftime, and on the sideline.
“As a result, the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during NFL play.”
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, #85, works out with his teammates during an OTA at Levi’s Stadium on June 10, 2025. (D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)
Kittle jokingly mentioned considering retirement after hearing about the ban, emphasizing the need to find a middle ground.
Tight end George Kittle, #85 of the San Francisco 49ers, warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 12, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Kittle, entering his ninth year in the NFL with the 49ers, had a successful season in 2024 with over 1,000 receiving yards. Despite being one of the best at his position in the league, he will have to find alternative ways to boost his energy during games in the future.
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