Latest news with #smelling salts
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baker Mayfield, George Kittle among NFL players against smelling salt ban
Among one of the odder wars between the NFL and their own players this season has been the recent ban on NFL teams supplying smelling salts and other ammonia-style inhalants by the NFL, which frustrated a lot of players. It started on Tuesday, with San Francisco 49ers' star TE George Kittle breaking the news on the ban to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Since then, multiple NFL players have spoken out against the ban, including big names like Tampa Bay Buccaneers' QB Baker Mayfield. 'I 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're not allowed back in the game,' Mayfield said. 'I think it was a quick trigger to ban em.' The Los Angeles Chargers' NFLPA player representative Josh Harris also raised questions about the ban. Again, it's worth noting that the NFL isn't banning smelling salts outright, but the distribution of them by NFL teams. ESPN's Kalyn Kahler, obtained the message the NFLPA about the smelling salt ban. So maybe we see players do what Mayfield said and bring their own juice to games. How would you make your own smelling salts? That feels like an episode of Breaking Bad. The NFL's ban on smelling salts feels like it probably should've happened earlier. Not because of any inherent harm or danger to players, but because the league has tried so hard to clean up their image around concussions and concussion-like symptoms. The league has been at the forefront of new helmet usage, making new caps to wear on top of the helmet and other scientific research to help mitigate concussions, so smelling salts lasting all the way until 2025 feels like an accomplishment. How you would make your own smelling salts? Well, that feels like an episode of Breaking Bad waiting to happen.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
AI can't be stopped! Ammonia inhalants, a.k.a. smelling salts, are not banned by the NFL after all
When is AI not artificial intelligence? When it refers to ammonia inhalants, aka smelling salts. When are these AIs in the news? When it was reported that the NFL banned their use, San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle protested, and the NFL walked back the ban a day later. The league's players association clarified that players can still use AIs as long as teams don't provide them. Got it? The NFLPA sent a memo to players on Wednesday saying that the ban only prohibits team employees from distributing AIs during games. That must have pleased Kittle, who when under the impression that AIs were banned completely, grabbed a microphone on an NFL Network broadcast to say, '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.' Read more: 'Most impressive athletic feat ever': 16-year-old Texan sets world record in 800 meters The five-time All-Pro tight end said he used the substances for an energy boost before every offensive drive and joked that upon learning of the ban he 'considered retirement." Except that it isn't a ban. Kittle will just have to bring his own AI stash to ballgames. "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 NFLPA memo said. "The NFL has confirmed this to us." The use of AIs by NFL players has been under the radar despite apparently being a common practice. Their primary use is to prevent and treat fainting, with the Federal Aviation Administration requiring U.S. airlines to carry them in the event a pilot feels faint. The ammonia gas irritates the nasal membranes, causing a reflex that increases breathing and heart rate. That can keep a person from fainting, and apparently can also help a person block and tackle. Read more: Ex-NFL player convicted for operating dogfighting ring... again. Now he faces up to 30 years in prison In short, an AI — which has been described as smelling like cat urine — is a performance-enhancing substance. The NFL, however, cited a warning from the FDA that AIs can mask symptoms of a concussion and have not been proven to be safe or effective simply to increase energy. "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 AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy," the NFL memo to teams stated. "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 play in the NFL." Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield — who says he uses AIs — said the logic behind the NFL no longer supplying them is convoluted. Read more: NFL is expected to take an ownership stake in ESPN 'I think the reasoning was that it masked concussion symptoms,' Mayfield said on "Up and Adams." 'But if you get knocked out, which is the whole purpose of smelling salts — to wake you up — you're not allowed back in the game. "I think it was a quick trigger to ban them, just to kind of CYA [cover your ass].' Maybe NFL officials figure that by no longer supplying AIs and forcing players to bring their own batch to games, their liability in case of concussions or other medical complications is reduced. 'You just got to bring your own juice to the party, got to wake up ready to go,' Mayfield said. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
NFL players can still use smelling salts as long as not provided by teams
NFL players will be allowed to use 'smelling salts' during games after all. The NFLPA sent a memo to players on Wednesday saying that the ban that the league informed teams about on Tuesday only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms. 'The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,' said the memo to players, which was obtained by The Associated Press. '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.' The memo from the league prohibited any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.' The league cited a warning issued from the Food and Drug Administration in 2024 that there was no evidence citing the 'safety or efficacy' of the products and that they have the potential to mask symptoms of concussions. Smelling salts and other similar products have been a staple on NFL sidelines for years with many players believing they can provide a sudden jolt of energy or alertness.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NFL players can still use smelling salts as long as not provided by teams
NFL players will be allowed to use 'smelling salts' during games after all. The NFLPA sent a memo to players on Wednesday saying that the ban that the league informed teams about on Tuesday only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms. 'The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,' said the memo to players, which was obtained by The Associated Press. '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.' The memo from the league prohibited any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.' The league cited a warning issued from the Food and Drug Administration in 2024 that there was no evidence citing the 'safety or efficacy' of the products and that they have the potential to mask symptoms of concussions. Smelling salts and other similar products have been a staple on NFL sidelines for years with many players believing they can provide a sudden jolt of energy or alertness. ___ AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
NFL players can still use smelling salts as long as not provided by teams
NFL players will be allowed to use 'smelling salts' during games after all. The NFLPA sent a memo to players on Wednesday saying that the ban that the league informed teams about on Tuesday only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms. 'The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,' said the memo to players, which was obtained by The Associated Press. '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.' The memo from the league prohibited any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.' The league cited a warning issued from the Food and Drug Administration in 2024 that there was no evidence citing the 'safety or efficacy' of the products and that they have the potential to mask symptoms of concussions. Smelling salts and other similar products have been a staple on NFL sidelines for years with many players believing they can provide a sudden jolt of energy or alertness. ___ AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report ___ AP NFL:
