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Cardinals Accuse 49ers of Supplying Smelling Salts to $7M Star During Home Win

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Sep 22, 2025 — Santa Clara, CA — The San Francisco 49ers’ narrow 16–15 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night has been clouded by controversy after the Cardinals accused the Niners of supplying smelling salts to their $7 million star, quarterback Mac Jones, just minutes before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium.

A video clip that circulated widely on social media appeared to show Jones crouching near the sideline, cracking open a small vial, and taking a sharp inhale before trotting back toward the huddle. Cardinals officials allege the stimulant was not brought by the player himself but handed to him by 49ers staff — a direct violation of the NFL’s new 2025 rule banning teams from distributing smelling salts.

“The policy is crystal clear — no team is allowed to provide smelling salts to players under any circumstances,” a Cardinals spokesperson said Monday. “If San Francisco gave Jones that edge right before the opening whistle, it compromises fair play. We expect the NFL to investigate fully.”

The 49ers have not yet released an official comment. Jones, who threw for 186 yards and led a late scoring drive that sealed the one-point win, downplayed the speculation when asked postgame.
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“I just keep my focus on leading the offense,” Jones told reporters. “My job is to execute and give this team the best chance to win — nothing else matters.”

The NFL confirmed it has opened a review into the matter. While smelling salts remain legal for personal use, teams are strictly prohibited from supplying them to players during games.

Any punishment would likely be limited to fines or warnings rather than altering the outcome of the contest. Still, the incident has cast new attention on a long-standing sideline ritual that, until now, rarely attracted league-level scrutiny.

Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”