NFLPA gives readability on smelling salts in twist after league’s ban

Smelling salts aren’t going wherever.
After it was reported Tuesday that the NFL was banning salts forward of the 2025-26 season, the NFL Gamers Affiliation provided some further clarification on the rule change, which can certainly please the gamers.
The ban was really positioned solely on groups supplying the salts, however gamers can be allowed to make use of the salts if they supply them themselves.
“We weren’t notified of this membership coverage change earlier than the memo was despatched out,” the NFLPA mentioned in a message to gamers, in response to an ESPN report on Wednesday. “To make clear, this coverage doesn’t prohibit participant use of those substances, however moderately it restricts golf equipment from offering or supplying them in any kind. The NFL has confirmed this to us.”
The league’s authentic memo through which it introduced the brand new prohibition of ammonia, which the salts comprise, famous that the NFL’s head, neck and backbone committee made the advice for the ban primarily based on the FDA’s warning in 2024 concerning the unfavourable results of ammonia inhalants.
The FDA’s warning included “the potential to masks sure neurologic indicators and signs, together with some potential indicators of concussion.”
Smelling salts have lengthy been used throughout quite a few completely different sports activities as a stimulant for athletes, elevating their consciousness.
The clarification on the brand new rule saved many gamers from a world of disappointment.
This contains 49ers tight finish George Kittle, who crashed the set of NFL Community’s “Inside Coaching Camp” on Tuesday when he heard the unique information.
“I’ve been distraught all day,” Kittle mentioned jokingly. “I thought of retirement. We’ve received to determine a center floor right here, guys. Someone assist me out, any person provide you with a good suggestion.
“I miss these already.”