NFL games will be \u201cB.Y.O.S.S.\u201d in 2025.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the league sent a memo to its 32 clubs informing them they would no longer be allowed to administer players ammonia in any form during the 2025 season, including ammonia inhalants, which are more commonly known as smelling salts.<\/p>\n
After loud backlash from players, the NFL players\u2019 association clarified in its own memo that the league hasn\u2019t banned the use of smelling salts \u2014 it has only banned teams from being the suppliers.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form,\u201d said the union\u2019s message to players, per ESPN<\/a>. \u201cThe NFL has confirmed this to us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What does that mean for players? They can still use ammonia inhalants, as long as they bring their own.<\/p>\n The league\u2019s decision to bar teams from doling out smelling salts came somewhat on the heels of an Food and Drug Administration warning<\/a> from a year ago, which alerted consumers \u201cto not purchase or use certain inhalants, which are unapproved drugs marketed to promote alertness and boost energy.\u201d<\/p>\n The inhalants are most often packaged in the form of a capsule comprised of ammonium carbonate and liquids. According to a 2006 editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine<\/a>, when the capsule is crushed, a chemical reaction is formed, releasing ammonia gas. That gas irritates the nose and lungs, which makes those parts of the body work harder. Theoretically, that could increase the amount of oxygen the body intakes. <\/p>\n \u201cManufacturers have not demonstrated these products to be safe or effective for their intended uses,\u201d the FDA warning reads, adding that the agency received reports of inhalants causing issues such as shortness of breath, seizures, migraines, vomiting, diarrhea and fainting. <\/p>\n Another important factor in the league\u2019s decision was that the salts could also be used to mask concussion symptoms. <\/p>\n Players often use smelling salts for a quick jolt to their system. <\/p>\n \u201cAs a competitive person, you need something to get you going,\u201d Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David told reporter Kay Adams<\/a>. \u201cSmelling salts wake you up and get you going right away. Ever since 2012, my rookie year, I\u2019ve had to take a smelling salt before each drive.\u201d<\/p>\n David added: \u201cIt\u2019s a big role in a lot of our careers.\u201d<\/p>\n In the wake of the proposed ban, several players were outspoken about their loyalty to the product.<\/p>\n \u201cOur team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I\u2019ve been distraught all day,\u201d San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle said on NFL Network<\/a> on Tuesday. <\/p>\n He later added, in jest: \u201cI considered retirement. We have got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be severely affected, to be honest with you,\u201d Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporter Kay Adams<\/a> when asked about the ban. <\/p>\n \u201cI think the reasoning is because it masks concussion symptoms, but if you get knocked out, which is the whole purpose of smelling salts to wake you up, you\u2019re not allowed back in the game,\u201d Mayfield added. \u201cI think it was a quick trigger to ban them.\u201d<\/p>\n Fortunately for players such as Kittle and Mayfield, the \u201cban\u201d ended up being short-lived, as long as they are willing to bring their own to sidelines this season.<\/p>\n As for how much the salts will actually help their performance, their effect may be more mental than physical.<\/p>\n