Those pungent little capsules packed with ammonia compounds have vanished from NFL sidelines. Once as common as water bottles and athletic tape, smelling salts—designed to deliver a sharp sensory jolt that triggers heightened alertness—are now contraband in professional American football.
The league's sweeping ban has sparked a fierce debate between player safety advocates and athletes who swear by their pre-game rituals. But what drove the NFL to outlaw a practice that's been part of the sport for decades?
