NEWYou now have the option to listen to articles from various sources!
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, along with all NFL players, can still have access to smelling salts on game days.
Kittle jokingly mentioned that he thought about retiring after a memo was circulated to all 32 NFL teams indicating a potential ban on using smelling salts on the sidelines during games.
However, the NFL Players Association promptly sent a memo to its players the following day, clarifying the situation.
Josh Allen, #17 of the Buffalo Bills, takes a sniff of smelling salts during a game between the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The ban only prohibits team personnel from providing smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants during pregame, halftime, or games on the sideline or in locker rooms.
“The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,” the memo to players read. “We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. 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.”
Baker Mayfield, #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sniffs smelling salts in the tunnel prior to an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Jan. 21, 2024 in Detroit. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The memo from the NFL clarified that teams are not allowed to provide or supply ammonia in any form, including capsules, inhalers, or smelling salts.
After initially believing that he could no longer use smelling salts, Kittle expressed his concern as he regularly uses them to boost his energy before offensive drives.
“I honestly just came up here to air a grievance,” Kittle mentioned during an interview with teammate Fred Warner on NFL Network. “Our team received a memo today stating that smelling salts and ammonia packets were banned in the NFL, and I’ve been upset all day.
“We need to find a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out. Somebody come up with a good idea. That’s all I had to get out there. Get that off my chest.”
Maxx Crosby, #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders, sniffs smelling salts during an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos on Nov. 20, 2022 in Denver. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
However, Kittle and the rest of the league are still able to use them – they just need to remember to bring their own.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
