49ers’ Kittle laments ban on smelling salts in the NFL

49ers’ George Kittle Expresses Frustration Over NFL’s Ammonia Salts Ban

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle interrupted an interview of his teammate Fred Warner on NFL Network to express his discontent with a recent league decision. Kittle burst onto the set to “express his complaint” about the ban on the use of ammonia and smelling salts before and during NFL games, according to a memo sent to teams on Tuesday morning. The memo states that, starting this season, teams are prohibited from “providing or supplying ammonia in any form.” This includes ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of “aromatic salts.” The ban applies to the entirety of a match, including pre-game activities and halftime, both in the locker room and on the sidelines.

The ban comes as a result of warnings issued by the FDA in 2024.

“In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AI), as well as consumers regarding the purchase and use of AI, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed to improve mental alertness or increase energy,” says the memo. “The FDA observed potential negative effects of AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurological signs and symptoms, including some possible signs of concussion.”

NFL Memo

A few hours after receiving the memo, Kittle showed up on the NFL Network set at the team’s facilities while Warner was talking about the upcoming season.

“Honestly, I just came here to lodge a complaint,” Kittle said. “Our team received a memo today that said smelling salts and ammonia packets were declared illegal in the NFL and I’ve been distraught all day.”

George Kittle

Kittle went on to explain that he is a regular user of smelling salts, taking them to get an energy boost before each offensive series, and noted that “I already miss them”. The tight end, who is in his ninth year, joked that the memo was so annoying that he considered retiring.

“I considered retirement,” Kittle said, jokingly. “We have to find a middle ground here, guys. Someone help me. Someone who has a good idea. That’s all I had to say. I had to get it off my chest.”

George Kittle