Ilooked down at the small red canister in my hand and prepared to open it. My mind raced. This won’t be so bad, right? That’s what I told myself at first, before I talked to NFL players about what awaited me inside that canister.

Smelling salts.

They promised an intense experience, especially if I made the rookie mistake of inhaling too hard. So, of course, I would inhale hard, right? But now? Maybe not. Would I cough? Cry? Puke? I stared at the can again, read the instructions and shook it. Then I opened the lid.

***

Before every Giants drive, Jaxson Dart prepares to jog onto the field by going through the same sideline routine. He grabs his helmet and reviews the game situation in his head — time, score, field position. He also makes sure to reach for a small plastic bottle.

Then Da

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