The NFL has banned smelling salts, and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is unhappy with the decision.
George Kittle Expresses Frustration With NFL’s Ban Of Smelling Salts
Here was #49ers TE George Kittle stating his case for a reconsideration of the banning of smelling salts and ammonia inhalants today. https://t.co/p6WRZArY9L pic.twitter.com/MNZNNjdVT3
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2025
If you’ve ever seen a player stick a foreign substance up their nose during games, odds are that it’s a smelling salt.
Many players use smelling salts and ammonia packets as stimulants to wake up and send a jolt of energy to their bodies.
Starting this season, players cannot use smelling salts and ammonia in any form during games.
During an interview with 49ers linebacker Fred Warner on the NFL Network, Kittle crashed the interview to discuss the NFL’s ban on smelling salts. Though the tight end complained in a joking manner, Kittle is upset with the new rule.
“I honestly just came up here to air a grievance,” Kittle said on NFL Network. “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.”
Kittle admitted to using smelling salts before every drive during games. Warner joked that Kittle won’t practice anymore without smelling salts in games. Kittle added, “I considered retirement. I considered it.”
What will Kittle use instead of smelling salts and ammonia packets? The tight end is open to suggestions.
“We have to figure out a middle ground,” Kittle explained. “Somebody helped me out. Somebody come up with a good idea. That’s all I had to get out there, get that off my chest.”
NFL Memo On Smelling Salts Ban
RIP Smelling Salts in the NFL pic.twitter.com/5QhpgfogJN
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) August 5, 2025
The NFL’s ban of smelling salts has been in the works for at least a year.
The NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended banning ammonia and smelling salts for any purpose after an FDA warning last year. The committee also has concerns that ammonia masks certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including concussion symptoms.
Per PFT, here is the memo that was sent to teams to announce the ban.
“In light of this information, effective for the 2025 NFL season, clubs are prohibited form providing or supplying ammonia in any form at NFL games. For clarity, ‘ammonia’ refers to ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup and any form of ‘smelling salts.’ This prohibition applies to call club personnel (including but not limited to team physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and coaches or other personnel). This prohibition applies through the entirety of all NFL games, including during all pregame activities, and halftime, and applies on the sideline and in stadium locker rooms.”
