The NFL introduced in a memo issued Tuesday that it has banned ammonia inhalants, prohibiting groups from offering gamers with ammonia inhalers, capsules, “smelling salts” or ammonia in a cup. The prohibition applies all through all NFL games and applies to all staff personnel, together with coaches, staff physicians, athletic trainers, power & conditioning coaches or different personnel.
Nevertheless, a message despatched to gamers by the NFL Gamers Affiliation on Wednesday supplied some readability to the scenario. The NFL is just not prohibiting the usage of these objects, however moderately prohibiting groups from offering them to gamers, according to ESPN. Which means gamers can carry their very own.
“The NFL Gamers Affiliation is conscious of the memo issued by the league Tuesday relating to the usage of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,” the message says. “We weren’t notified of this membership coverage change earlier than the memo was despatched out. To make clear, this coverage doesn’t prohibit participant use of those substances, however moderately it restricts golf equipment from offering or supplying them in any kind. The NFL has confirmed this to us. When you have any questions, please attain out to your participant director.”
In banning groups from offering ammonia to gamers, the NFL cited a 2024 warning issued by the FDA regarding the lack of proof to assist the security and efficacy of ammonia inhalers marketed for enhancing psychological alertness or boosting vitality, noting potential destructive unwanted side effects. For the league’s functions, it was additionally famous that ammonia inhalers had the potential to masks sure neurological indicators and signs, particularly some indicators of a concussion. As such, a ban on the usage of ammonia inhalers for any use throughout NFL competitors was beneficial by the league’s Head, Neck, and Backbone Committee.
Preliminary information of the NFL’s determination was damaged by San Francisco 49ers tight finish George Kittle, who stated he is been a person of such merchandise earlier than “each drive.”
“I have been distraught all day,” Kittle joked whereas crashing linebacker Fred Warner’s interview with NFL Community. “I thought of retirement. We have got to determine a center floor right here, guys. Any person assist me out, any person provide you with a good suggestion … I miss these already.”
Ammonia and smelling salts have lengthy been used as a stimulant by NFL gamers in addition to different athletes, although the dangers that include their use have been famous. Many boxing competitions, for example, have banned smelling salts underneath the pretense that their use can masks critical harm.