Nfl Sniffs Out New Product

Black cream smeared under the eyes has been a fashion statement in pro sports for eons. But if you watched any of the football playoffs, there is a new addition to those fabulous faces.

In the last three months, the Breathe Right Nasal Dilator has caught on among football players the way San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice (or, in the interest of fairness, San Diego Charger Tony Martin) catches passes: big-time. Meant to reduce snoring, the Breathe Right looks like a bandage with two springy strips of plastic running through it. When placed over the nose correctly, it gently pulls the nasal passages open to allow air to flow freely.

Football players, including 49er running back Ricky Watters, seem to like it because they labor so hard and have only a brief period between plays to catch their breath. Moreover, many players wear mouthpieces that obstruct breathing.