Inside the NFL’s Secret Battle Over Smelling Salts: Why Players Defy the Rules and What It Means for the Game

So, here’s the kicker: the NFL sends out this memo during training camp telling teams they can’t hand out smelling salts anymore, waving the player-safety flag high . . . but guess what? They hit a snag. The league can’t actually ban the little ammonia packets without the thumbs-up from the NFLPA. Meaning, guys like George Kittle—yes, the fiery 49ers tight end—can still get their sniff on, just gotta bring their own stash. Now, Kittle, who half-jokingly said he “considered retirement” when he heard about the ban, swears by these salts, popping them before every offensive snap. He even tried to supply his teammates during preseason, running out so fast it got downright comical—so season-time, he’s planning to ditch the usual snack bucket and fill it with smelling salts instead. This isn’t just a quirky ritual; it’s a full-on necessity for many players. The NFL’s crackdown came on the heels of an FDA warning and some sideline drama involving Josh Allen, but clearly, the ban’s done little to halt the tradition. As 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan put it, “I feel like George will find a way.” And if you’re familiar with Kittle, you know he always does. LEARN MORE

During training camp, the NFL sent a memo to teams prohibiting them from providing smelling salts to players, citing a player-safety issue. The league, though, couldn’t ban ammonia packets without approval from the NFLPA.

Thus, players, including 49ers tight end George Kittle, are still allowed to use smelling salts as long as they provide their own supply.

Kittle, who jokingly said he “considered retirement” after hearing of the ban, uses smelling salts before every offensive possession. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that at least half of his teammates “use them most of the time.”

Kittle supplied his teammates with the inhalants during the preseason but kept running out of them. So, he vowed to empty an “old-school” bucket of cheese balls and fill it with smelling salts for the regular season.

“During the preseason games, I was the only one who was taking initiative, and the D-line completely wiped me out in back-to-back games,” Kittle told Eric Branch of the Chronicle.

49ers guard Nick Zakelj has used ammonia packets since high school.

“It’s a meathead thing: Like, let me get juiced up before I go out there,” Zakelj told the newspaper.

The NFL’s policy came after an FDA warning about the safety or efficacy of ammonia inhalants. According to the Chronicle’s reporting, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee’s recommendation followed Bills quarterback Josh Allen receiving an ammonia packet from a team employee as he emerged from the sideline medical tent after being cleared of a concussion against the Texans last season.

The ban, though, has not deterred players from using inhalants.

“I don’t overthink it too much, but I’m also not too worried about them not providing it either,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I feel like George will find a way.”

He has, and he will.