George Kittle’s Frustration over NFL’s Ban on Smelling Salts Explained.

The National Football League (NFL) has announced a complete ban on the use of smelling salts during games. The decision includes restrictions on ammonia capsules, inhalers, and even the old-school method of ammonia in a cup, effective from the 2025 NFL season.

Ammonia inhalants, also known as smelling salts, have been traditionally used by many athletes, including NFL players, as a method to stimulate alertness and energy. However, the NFL has now prohibited their use at games, applicable to all club personnel including team physicians, coaches, and other staff members. The ban extends to all activities before, during, and immediately after the game, including on the sideline and in stadium locker rooms.

The ban follows a 2024 warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stating that there is a lack of scientific evidence that ammonia inhalants are safe or provide a boost to energy or mental clarity. The NFL’s Head, Neck, and Spine Committee further determined that the use of smelling salts could potentially conceal crucial neurological symptoms on the field, which in turn, could result in misdiagnoses or delays in treatment.

Prominent NFL players such as San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle reacted to the announcement in disappointment. “I’ve been distraught all day. I considered retirement. We’ve got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out, somebody come up with a good idea … I miss those already,” he said in a jest-filled intervention during a teammate’s interview on NFL Network. Kittle is known to use smelling salts during games to keep himself energized.