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Giants Accuse Chiefs of Supplying Smelling Salts to $26M Star During Road Win


Sep 22, 2025 — East Rutherford, NJ
— The Kansas City Chiefs’ Sunday night victory over the New York Giants has been overshadowed by controversy after the Giants accused the Chiefs of supplying smelling salts to their $26 million star, kicker Harrison Butker just minutes before kickoff at MetLife Stadium.

A video widely shared on social media appeared to show Butker crouching near the sideline, cracking open a small capsule, and taking a deep inhale before jogging back toward the special-teams unit. Giants officials allege the stimulant was not self-supplied but provided by Chiefs staff — a violation of the NFL’s 2025 rule prohibiting teams from distributing smelling salts.

“The league made it clear this offseason — teams are not allowed to provide smelling salts to players under any circumstances,” a Giants spokesperson said Monday. “If Kansas City really handed Butker that edge right before kickoff, it undermines fair competition. We expect the NFL to investigate thoroughly.”


The Chiefs have not yet issued an official response. Butker, who converted all three of his field-goal attempts and two extra points in the 22–9 win, brushed off the speculation when asked postgame.

“I’m focused on my job, nothing else,” Butker told reporters. “My priority is execution and helping this team finish drives with points.”

The NFL confirmed it has opened an inquiry into the matter. While smelling salts remain legal for individual use, teams are strictly prohibited from supplying them to players at any point during games.

Any punishment would likely come in the form of fines or warnings rather than impacting the game’s outcome. Still, the incident has placed new scrutiny on a long-standing sideline ritual that, until now, had rarely drawn this level of attention from league officials.

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Ravens Update Quarterback Depth Amid Controversies - Re-signed Pro Bowl Star to QB2
Baltimore, MD – October 7, 2025 Following Cooper Rush's disappointing performance in the humiliating 10-44 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday (October 6), the Baltimore Ravens are facing intense debates about their quarterback room depth. With Lamar Jackson still nursing a hamstring injury and potentially missing the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams (scheduled for Week 6), the big question arises: Should Tyler Huntley – the former Ravens Pro Bowl star – get the starting nod over Rush? Huntley, 27 years old, was re-signed by the Ravens to the practice squad at the end of August 2025 and quickly elevated to QB2 for Week 5. He served as the Ravens' backup QB from 2020-2024, leading the team to the playoffs in 2022 and earning a Pro Bowl replacement spot thanks to his impressive performances filling in for Jackson. With experience in 9 starts (3-6 record), Huntley brings familiarity to the Ravens' offensive system, particularly his mobility and game-reading skills – something Rush seemed to lack in the Texans loss, where he completed only 18/34 passes with 1 TD and 2 INTs, resulting in the offense scoring just 10 points. The controversy exploded on social media, with the hashtag #RavensFlock divided. Many fans support Huntley: "Rush has proven he's not the solution. Huntley knows the system, knows how to win games – put him in!" (from account @RavensFanatic on X). Meanwhile, others defend Rush, arguing he needs time to adapt after transferring from the Dallas Cowboys: "Rush just started his first game for us. Don't rush to conclusions – he has playoff experience!" However, Rush's performance (only 189 passing yards, no big plays) has raised concerns about the depth chart, especially with Jackson possibly out for another 1-2 weeks. Head coach John Harbaugh hasn't commented directly, but in the post-Texans press conference, he hinted at a reevaluation: "We have multiple quality options at QB. Tyler is ready, and we'll choose the one best suited to win." ESPN insiders report that Huntley has been practicing fully and performing well, potentially being promoted to official QB2 if Jackson misses the Rams game – a crucial matchup for the Ravens (currently 1-4) to salvage their season. Signing Huntley – a Pro Bowl star – is seen as a smart move amid the controversies, boosting the Ravens' depth and flexibility. If Huntley gets "the nod" to start, it could be his chance to prove his value, just like his previous fill-ins for Jackson. Ravens fans are awaiting the decision – will "Snoop" (Huntley's nickname) return to save the team? Follow updates from baltimoreravens.com for more details. #RavensFlock #QBControversy