The NFL game will be “BYOSS” in 2025.
On Tuesday, the league sent a note to 32 clubs, informing them that during the 2025 season they will no longer be allowed to manage their players’ ammonia in the form of 2025, including ammonia inhaled products, more commonly known as stinky salts.
After loudly repulsing from players, the NFL Players Association revealed in its own memo that the league has not banned the use of stinky salt. The team has banned being a supplier.
“To be clear, this policy does not prohibit players from using these substances, but rather restricting clubs from offering or supplying them in any way,” said the union’s message per ESPN to players. “The NFL confirmed this with us.”
What does that mean for players? As long as they have themselves, they can still use ammonia inhalants.
The league’s decision to ban teams from ejecting odorous salts was just behind Food and Drug Administration warnings from a year ago. This warned consumers not to “purchase or use certain inhaled medications, which are unauthorized drugs sold to promote alerts and energy.”
Inhalants are mostly packaged in the form of capsules consisting of ammonium carbonate and a liquid. According to a 2006 editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, when the capsule is crushed, a chemical reaction forms and releases ammonia gas. The gas stimulates the nose and lungs, causing those parts of the body to work more vigorously. In theory, it could increase your body’s intake.
“Manufacturers have not demonstrated that these products are safe or effective for their intended use,” the FDA warning read and added that they have received reports of inhaled medications that cause problems such as short breathing, seizures, migraines, vomiting, diarrhea and fainting.
Another important factor in the league’s decision was the ability to use salt to cover up the salt content.
Players often use stinky salts to quickly impact the system.
“As a competitive person, you need something to make you move,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David told reporter Kay Adams. “Smelling salt awakens you and quickly overtakes you. Since 2012, my newcomer year, I had to take some smelling salt before each drive.”
David added: “It’s a huge role in many of our careers.”
The proposed ban prompted several players to speak openly about their loyalty to the product.
“Our team received a memo today that smells of salt and ammonia packets has become illegal in the NFL. I was distraught all day,” San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle told the NFL Network on Tuesday.
He later joked, adding: “I’ve considered retiring. We have to find the middle ground here. Everyone. Someone will help me.”
“I’m seriously affected if I’m honest with you,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mayfield told reporter Kay Adams when asked about the ban.
“I think the reason is because it covers the symptoms of a concussion, but if you get knocked out, if it’s about smelling salt to wake you up, you’re not allowed back to the game,” Mayfield added. “I think banning them was an easy trigger.”
Luckily for players like Kittle and Mayfield, the “ban” has ultimately been short-lived this season, unless they are willing to bring themselves to the bystanders.
As for whether salt actually helps in performance, its effects may be more mental than physical.
“The physiological and performance-enhancing effects of ammonia inhalants remain poorly understood,” according to at least one study published in the Sports Medicine Journal last fall.
“Ammonia inhalants have no role in medical management of head injuries and provide limited benefits in terms of sports performance,” the study’s conclusion reads.
