Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was spotted on camera popping a ZYN nicotine pouch into his mouth while on the sidelines during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday.
Some fans and commentators found humor in Mayfield’s choice of stress relief amidst a challenging game, which the Buccaneers ultimately lost 41-31.
Mayfield played fairly well, throwing for 370 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, but was ultimately outclassed by the signal-caller on the other side of the field, Lamar Jackson.
Jackson slung 5 touchdown passes en route to the victory.
In the third quarter of a tight game, eagle-eyed fans spotted Mayfield going for a little extra something to take the edge off.
Baker Mayfield popping a ZYN on the sideline mid game 😂 pic.twitter.com/IELMpm7wdd
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) October 22, 2024
ZYN Lectures Baker Mayfield
Did ZYN appreciate the free advertising from a high-profile athlete like Mayfield during a prime NFL slot on Monday night? No, no they didn’t.
They issued a terse statement chastising the Bucs quarterback for not setting a better example. I mean seriously, you can just visualize grandma shaking her rolling pin furiously at Mayfield when reading this statement from Swedish Match – which manufactures ZYN.
“Swedish Match appreciates its loyal consumers and encourages them not to show the product in any situation where someone under 21 years old could see it,” a spokesperson for the company told TMZ Sports.
“The product is marketed only to current nicotine consumers 21 years old and over as a better alternative to continued smoking and other traditional tobacco products.”
Sheesh. A simple “thank you” would have sufficed. Thanks for the free advertising but … how dare you!
Will He Get Fined?
Not only is Mayfield getting lectured and spanked in public by the makers of ZYN, but he apparently has to worry about being fined for his actions as well.
The league’s policy on the use of tobacco and alcohol on game day explicitly states they can not be consumed on the “playing field area” or during interviews.
Players and other club and League employees (including game officials) must not use alcohol or tobacco products while in the playing field area or while being interviewed on television. Further, NFL policy prohibits the use or presence of alcoholic beverages, including beer, in club locker rooms at any time during the preseason, regular season, or postseason, including during the practice week and on game day.
ZYN though, contains a nicotine powder instead of tobacco leaf. Will Mayfield be able to argue the semantics?
Remember the days when MLB players would light up a few Lucky’s in the dugout during games?
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