Jaxon Smith-Njigba responds to Druski’s viral NFL awards trolling after winning Super Bowl

It has been quite the season for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver entered the 2025 NFL campaign as the team’s No. 1 option after DK Metcalf was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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With a new face under center in veteran quarterback Sam Darnold, only few could have envisaged that the pair would form a devastating offensive partnership to lead them all the way to Super Bowl LX glory in Santa Clara, California.

In the regular season, Smith-Njigba posted 1,793 receiving yards from 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

This saw him deservedly named a first-team All-Pro, while he also claimed the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year prize at the NFL Honors on Friday.

However, what should have been a moment of pride for the 23-year-old was marred by a moment of disrespect from comedian and influencer, Druski.

Having been given the honor to stand alongside NFL icon Barry Sanders to present the OPOY award, Druski appeared to purposely mispronounce Smith-Njigba’s name and used a racial slur instead.

Sanders — one of the greatest running backs in NFL history — looked upset and the majority of those around the league, including the Seahawks PR team, took a similar view.

“Hall of Famer Barry Sanders drew the short straw getting stuck with @druski’s big whiff tonight. Put some respect on @Seahawks WR @jaxon_smith1’s name,” they posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Many fans argued that the 31-year-old comedian had taken the shine away from the Seahawks star’s big moment, and that he should have read the room to know that it was neither the time nor place to make such a comment.

Smith-Njigba’s powerful message over his name

In the Seahawks’ emphatic victory on Sunday, Smith-Njigba had a quiet outing of just 27 yards from four receptions after suffering a slight injury knock and having to head into the locker room for concussion tests.

But following the game, one reporter seemingly sought to get the two-time Pro Bowler to subtly respond to Druski’s shocking — and highly controversial — mispronunciation.

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When asked by Robert Littal to give the meaning of his full name, he said: “Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Put respect on it, you here me?

“Sierra Leone. My grandfather came to the United States in the 70s. Had to work for everything that he had.

“He brought a lot of people over here. He brought a lot of family over here and he was the leader and he took pride in who he was and what he had to give back.

“I represent him. I represent my family. I represent Sierra Leone. Bo, Freetown. It’s an honor just to even say that.

“I appreciate you asking that question because I wanted to say that up here in front of y’all and I take great pride in it.”

Smith-Njigba has sported the Sierra Leone flag decal on the back of his helmet all season long as a tribute to his paternal grandparents, just as he did when he reclaimed the “Njigba” name following his grandfather’s passing in 2014.

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Speaking on what it meant to become a world champion in what is just his third season in the NFL, Smith-Njigba gave all the credit to his teammates who stuck together throughout the year to give everything they all had to the common goal – winning the title.

“We had to put the work in… but we all felt this was meant to be,” Smith-Njigba said, via Omar Ruiz of NFL Network. “And it’s nothing without going and chasing it.

“And it’s just an unbelievable moment. I’m super proud of my guys, they’re so deserving.”

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