Smelling salts have been part of football culture for decades. Players use them to jolt their senses and sharpen focus during high-pressure moments. The NFL allows individual players to bring their own, though teams can’t distribute them.
Aaron Rodgers Goes Viral After Dramatic Smelling Salts Hit During Steelers-Bengals Thriller
Aaron Rodgers Goes Viral After Dramatic Smelling Salts Hit During Steelers-Bengals Thriller (Screenshot via X/@pahrduve)
Aaron Rodgers just reminded everyone why cameras love capturing these intense sideline rituals.
Aaron Rodgers Goes Viral After Dramatic Smelling Salts Hit During Steelers-Bengals Thriller
Thursday night’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals delivered pure drama. The game went down to the wire with the Bengals escaping 33-31 on a 36-yard field goal. But one sideline moment stole the show before the final whistle.
TV camerascaught Rodgers inhaling smelling salts during the fourth quarter. The Steelers trailed and needed a spark. Rodgers took a deep breath from the inhalant. His eyes briefly rolled back.
Smelling salts were too strong for Aaron Rodgers 😭
“Whoah!” pic.twitter.com/AizvZtghxo
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) October 17, 2025
Then he calmly walked into the huddle like nothing happened. Moments later, helaunched a 68-yard touchdown bomb to tight end Pat Freiermuth. The score tied the game and gave Pittsburgh a brief lead after the extra point.
68-YARD TOUCHDOWN!!!!! @pat_fry5
📺: #PITvsCIN on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/9cu7D5Kgc5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 17, 2025
The visual was absolutely wild. Rodgers’s reaction to the smelling salts looked intense on camera, and social media immediately exploded with clips and reactions.
Thiswasn’t Rodgers’ first rodeo with smelling salts. He used the same routine against the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season. That time he connected with DK Metcalf on a crucial play right after taking a hit.
The veteran quarterback clearly trusts the ritual. Whether it’s superstition or genuine focus enhancement, Rodgers keeps coming back to it. And he’s not breaking any rules since players can bring their own inhalants.
Fans nicknamed the game the “Unc Bowl” online. The matchup featured Rodgers and fellow veteran Joe Flacco dueling in the twilight of their careers. Both quarterbacks played like they were back in their prime.
The Steelers couldn’t hold on despite the dramatic moment and clutch throw. The loss stung, but Rodgers’ performance reignited conversations about his unconventional game-day habits. He’s earned the right to do whatever works at this career stage.
NFL Fans Roast Aaron Rodgers Over His Wild Smelling Salts Reaction
Social media lost its mind the second that clip hit the internet. Fans couldn’t resist joking about Rodgers’ intense facial expression and eye roll.
One fanwrote, “Bro was seeing LSD flashes.” The comment perfectly captured how dramatic the moment looked on camera.
A secondadded, “I’m going to start doing smelling salts at work.” Others immediately related to needing that kind of jolt during long days.
A thirdjoked, “Aaron Rodgers is too strong for chemical enhancements.” The playful dig referenced Rodgers’ reputation for alternative wellness approaches.
But the wildest takes kept coming. A fourthnoted, “Smelled the perc aroma and went full prime Rodgers.” The joke connected his performance to the dramatic pre-play ritual.
A fifthadded, “Perc Rodgers is so back.” The nickname immediately started trending as fans combined the smelling salts moment with his clutch touchdown pass.
The reactions showed fans appreciate Rodgers’ commitment to his routines. Some found it hilarious, others impressive. Everyone agreed the cameras captured television gold.
Rodgers remains unbothered by the public attention. He’s been in the league long enough to know that sideline moments go viral. As long as he follows the rules and makes plays, the mystique only grows stronger.