The Baker Mayfield and ZYN nicotine pouches controversy, explained

Here’s why this is a thing.

This post has been updated with new information.

Baker Mayfield is getting a lot of attention for something he did earlier in the week that was caught by NFL fans on social media.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB was busted by cameras on the sideline of the team’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday as he appeared to take a ZYN nicotine pouch and put in his mouth.

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Why is that a big deal? Because, as ESPN noted years ago, “The NFL does have two rules when it comes to players using smokeless tobacco — don’t do it on the playing field or while conducting television interviews.”

What’s more, ZYN’s owners Swedish Match released this statement to TMZ: “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.”

There you go. No word on whether Mayfield will face discipline or a fine for that.

UPDATE:

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