‘They’re not banned’: Spike reveals gap in NFL’s smelling salt rules after Seahawks winning kick
Sep 29, 2025, 12:52 PM
Leading up to the Seattle Seahawks’ game-winning field goal on Thursday night, Seahawks kicker Jason Myers utilized smelling salts — known to stimulate athletes’ senses — ahead of his kick.
The National Football League (NFL) had previously banned the use of smelling salts, but “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio detailed a tiny loophole allowing players across the league to continue using the tactic.
“The league did ban smelling salts, but teams cannot provide them because they have been accused of masking concussion symptoms,” KIRO host Spike O’Neill said. “When someone gets cracked, they do a concussion protocol. The smelling salts can clear their senses, so teams can’t provide them, but players can provide their own. They’re not banned.”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
