The NFLPA just made George Kittle’s day with a memo that will help him save one of his favorite game day routines in 2025
Kittle joked about retirement amid news earlier this week — but the NFLPA just saved the day.
One must imagine it’s been a rollercoaster couple of days for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. Kittle, one of the league’s most colorful personalities and an all-time tough guy, loves his smelling salts — so much so that he apparently uses them on ‘every drive’. That’s one way to keep your engine revving for 60 minutes.
Kittle crashed an NFL Network broadcast on Tuesday afternoon to “break the news” of a new league policy on smelling salts and their usage. At the time, it was interpreted that smelling salts and ammonia were prohibited moving forward, and left Kittle joking about retirement amid the change.
As it turns out, Kittle doesn’t have to think about retirement anymore. Nor does he have to consider the prospect of playing without smelling salts — the NFL has clarified their position and it’s sure to make Kittle’s week.
NFLPA sends out memo clarifying league stance on smelling salts & ammonia capsules
“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.”
Stand down, George! We’ll see how big of a bag players like Kittle end up packing for game day now with the prospect of having to bring your own smelling salts to the stadium. One could suppose that’s much better than the alternative, having one of your staples of the game experience rug-pulled from you in your ninth season.
Kittle, for what it’s worth, is not alone. Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey was quick to act last night when the new memo went out.
Players will need to load up. But the fact that they have the option is one they’re undoubtedly glad to have after the initial tone of the memo sent out by the league on Tuesday.
San Francisco 49ers News
‘I considered retirement’ — George Kittle slams NFL’s new decision and opens up about how much it’s affecting some players
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is making a bit of a stand. It is in a unique way that no fan or piece of the NFL media could have predicted before today. Smelling salts are at the center of the discussion as training camp rages on around the league. George Kittle discusses recent […]
