After the NFL implemented a controversial new rule, which impacted notable names such as George Kittle and Baker Mayfield, the NFLPA has now hit back.
It was George Kittle who first shared the NFL’s new ruling, which banned teams from supplying players with ‘smelling salts’, otherwise known as Ammonia Inhalants (AIs).
The use of smelling salts supplied by the team at an NFL game has been banned, leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield to also share his concern.
Mayfield wasn’t the only Buccaneer to be upset by the news, with linebacker Lavonte David genuinely distraught, having not played without salts since his rookie year in 2012.
The NFLPA has now answered the San Francisco 49ers and Buccaneers stars, to the joy of Kittle in particular.
NFLPA clarifies ‘smelling salts’ ban, NFL players can still use it on gameday
George Kittle called on someone within the NFL world to address the smelling salts ban, and the NFLPA has answered his call.
On Wednesday night, the NFLPA sent a message to players clarifying that the ban only applies to the club supplying the salts, not players bringing their own.
The memo read: “The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league on Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules.
“We were not notified of these club policy changes before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit players’ use of the 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.” Of all the rules the NFL has implemented, this one truly doesn’t make any sense.
49ers star George Kittle responds to NFLPA memo with hilarious meme
After yet another brilliant season, George Kittle entered an exclusive NFL Tight End club, joining an elite list of players in the position who have four or more seasons with 1000+ yards.
Only four tight ends in NFL history have done that, first being Travis Kelce over a remarkable 7-season period, and then Rob Gronkowski, Jason Witten, and Tony Gonzales, all on four.
While he could likely perform to such a high standard without smelling salts, they have played a big part in his career, and the NFLPA update stirred him to share a hilarious meme in response.
Kittle shared the nodding smile meme of Robert Redford in the 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson , often widely mistaken for the Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis.
An acknowledgement that he has won the smelling salts battle, if anything. The replies were filled with fans saying he should be sponsored by smelling salts companies, which is inevitable at this point.
