Niners Nation
The NFL sent out a memo to teams on Tuesday morning, causing San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle to crash Fred Warner’s interview on NFL Network to “air a grievance.”
The memo prohibits teams from giving players any form of ammonia, including ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, or any form of smelling salts. And that isn’t just during game time. Clubs are not permitted to supply ammonia during pregame activities, halftime, in the locker room, or on the sideline at any point.
As Warner was being interviewed, Kittle approached the set on NFL Network, saying, “I honestly just came up here to air a grievance. 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.”
The league’s hands were tied after the FDA issued a warning to the NFL in 2024. Here’s an excerpt of the memo:
“In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AAIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy. The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurological signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion. As a result, the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during NFL play.”
Every football movie you’ve ever seen had smelling salts. Any NFL Films scene with Steve Sabol’s voiceover from the 1990s all but endorsed the use of ammonia. The timing of this is odd. It’s not as if the FDA recently became aware of players using ammonia.
Kittle acknowledged that these smelling salts were a part of his routine in between series. Kittle, oozing satire, jokingly said, “I miss those already,” and “I considered retirement.” However, there’s truth in every joke. Kittle asked the panel to help him come up with a replacement.
One would assume that the majority of NFL players use some combination of ammonia packets or smelling salts before they step between the white lines for what we’ll call an “energy boost” for their play, to mask fatigue, or potentially a concussion. Despite how disappointed the players might be about Tuesday’s memo, it’s a step in the right direction when it comes to player safety.
