NFLPA makes surprising announcement on league smelling salts ban

by: Nick Schultz 48 minutes ago NickSchultz_7

The NFLPA said the NFL’s smelling salts ban only applies to teams providing it to players, according to a message obtained by ESPN. That means players can still use the substances.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle brought the ban to the forefront Tuesday when he joked he considered retirement when he found out he wouldn’t be able to use smelling salts. That led to more reactions, including from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield , who said he was going to be “ severely affected .”

However, it turns out players can continue using smelling salts and ammonia capsules. The NFLPA said it did not know about the guidance until the memo came out, but confirmed teams simply cannot provide them to players. As a result, smelling salts are here to stay, so long as players bring their own.

ESPN has obtained a message the NFLPA sent to players Wednesday night- clarifying that the league’s ban on smelling salts ONLY applies to clubs providing it to players. Meaning… BYOSS. pic.twitter.com/PzWM1MeIzh

— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) August 6, 2025

“The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,” the NFLPA said. “We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player us of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us. If you have any questions, please reach out to your player director.”

In its memo, the NFL cited concerns about whether smelling salts or ammonia capsules can mask concussion symptoms. It said the ban applied to club personnel and applied to the locker room, as well as game days.

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