Latest news with #ammoniaCapsules
National Post
07-08-2025
- Health
- National Post
NFLPA confirms to players that the use of smelling salts is not banned
The NFL Players Association confirmed to players Wednesday that the NFL's new policy on smelling salts only prohibits teams from providing them to players on game days. The measure does not ban players from using them, the union clarified. Article content 'The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,' the NFLPA wrote in its memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post. 'We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us. If you have any questions, please reach out to your player director.' Article content Article content Article content The NFL informed teams Tuesday that they are prohibited from supplying ammonia capsules or any form of smelling salts to players on game days. However, a ban on use by players would have to be negotiated with the union. Article content The league's memo to teams, a copy of which The Post obtained Tuesday, noted that last year the Food and Drug Administration 'issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, 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 neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.' Article content That FDA warning led the NFL's head, neck and spine committee to recommend a prohibition on the use of ammonia inhalants 'for any purpose during play in the NFL,' according to the memo. Article content Article content 'In light of this information, effective for the 2025 NFL season, clubs are prohibited from providing or supplying ammonia in any form at NFL games,' the league said. 'For clarity, 'ammonia' refers to ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.'' Article content The NFL told teams that the prohibition 'applies to all club personnel (including but not limited to team physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and coaches or other personnel)' and will be in effect 'through the entirety of all NFL games, including during all pregame activities, and halftime, and applies on the sideline and in stadium locker rooms.' Article content San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle walked onto the NFL Network set at the team's training camp Tuesday to 'air a grievance,' he said. Article content 'Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL,' Kittle said, adding that he uses them on every offensive drive, 'and I've been distraught all day. … I considered retirement. … So we've got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out. Somebody come up with a good idea.'
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Report: NFLPA tells players they can still use smelling salts
The NFL's ban on smelling salts and ammonia capsules comes with a massive asterisk. Players are still permitted to use them. Via Kalyn Kahler of the NFLPA sent the following message to all players on Wednesday night: "The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules. We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us. If you have any questions, please reach out to your player director." (Emphasis in original.) The NFL didn't prohibit player use of smelling salts or ammonia capsules because it can't do so without collective bargaining. For now, it's a liability issue for the league. By preventing teams from supplying them, the NFL has an obvious defense if, for example, a player uses smelling salts or ammonia capsules to mask the symptoms of a concussion, returns to a game, and suffers a second concussion and a potentially serious brain injury because of it. If the league were truly concerned about the health and safety impact of using smelling salts or ammonia capsules, it would use all levers and leverage to persuade, and if necessary persude, the NFLPA to join in a mutual effort to prevent players from bringing and using their own. Unfortunately, the nature of collective bargaining isn't conducive to a single-issue win-win. If one side wants something, the other side will say, "What's in it for us?" In other words, "If you want us to agree to ban smelling salts and ammonia capsules, give us something in return." The better approach would be to truly appreciate and understand the health and safety issues associated with using smelling salts and/or ammonia capsules to clear the cobwebs from a brain that has been impacted by trauma. Both sides should want to stop using them. It's amazing, frankly, that it's taken the league so long to realize it's not a good idea to have them around. Now that the NFL is on board with banning them, the NFLPA should think less about parlaying this into a bargaining chip and more about whether it's in the best interests of the players to get them off the sidelines and out of the locker rooms. The problem is that neither side of any labor-management relationship thinks this way. It's always about getting something in return for whatever is being given up. On matters of player health and safety, the constant tug-of-war should yield to common sense.
