Aaron Rodgers appeared to use a controversial substance just moments before he raged at Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy during Thursday night’s 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Rodgers exploded at McCarthy during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field amid confusion over which play the Steelers offense should run.
But moments earlier, during the Steelers’ first offensive drive of the game, Rodgers was caught by Prime Video’s cameras appearing to inhale smelling salts while in the huddle.
The NFL has banned teams from handing out smelling salts directly to their players. However, athletes can use their own supply of the product if they want to.
Rodgers has continually defied the NFL’s rules around smelling salts and was often seen using them last year in his first season with the Steelers.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was also seen using them in recent weeks, although he bizarrely decided to place it between his teeth against the Detroit Lions.
Aaron Rodgers appeared to use smelling salts during Thursday night’s loss to the Browns
Rodgers has continually defied the NFL’s rules on smelling salts and often used them last year
The NFL ruling ahead of last season caused unhappiness from players throughout the league – San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle dropped the news in a live interview on NFL TV and asked for a solution to be found.
Kittle gatecrashed the NFL Network’s set at the 49ers practice facility and said: ‘I honestly just came up here to air a grievance.
‘Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I’ve been distraught all day.’
The NFL revealed that the memo sent to teams read: ‘In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy.
‘The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.
‘As a result, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during play in the NFL.’
The stimulant has previously been endorsed by Joe Rogan, who spoke at length about smelling salts during a podcast episode three years ago.
Moments after inhaling the smelling salts, Rodgers snapped at McCarthy as he waited to hear the next play call.
Fans were stunned to find Josh Allen chewing on a packet of smelling salts during the game
Rodgers and the Steelers endured a tough night in Cleveland and lost to their AFC North rivals
‘What the f***? Call it!’ the 42-year-old shouted while his teammates waited in the huddle.
Cameras then caught McCarthy responding to his veteran quarterback, with the Steelers head coach appearing to call Rodgers a ‘f***ing a**hole.’
It is not the first time this season that the quarterback’s frustrations have boiled over. During the Steelers’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Rodgers exploded once more.
CBS cameras caught him saying to the sidelines: ‘That play f***in sucks a**. F***in sucks a**!’
After Pittsburgh’s 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots, meanwhile, the 42-year-old quarterback bemoaned the team’s play-calling issues.
‘In a game like today where there wasn’t a lot of flow to it, we need to be better,’ Rodgers said after the Steelers amassed just 235 yards of offense.
‘And that starts with me at making sure Mike knows what’s working, what’s not working, our coaches know, so we can call stuff that we feel like has a better chance.’
