Seahawks Criticize Druski Over Jaxon Smith-Njigba Name Mispronunciation

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba received significant recognition at the recent NFL Honors ceremony. The event took place on February 6, 2026. However, his moment was overshadowed by a controversial joke made by comedian Druski during the award presentation.

Druski’s Mispronunciation Raises Eyebrows

During the ceremony, NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders and comedian Druski presented the award for the 2026 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. When it was Druski’s turn to announce Smith-Njigba as the winner, he intentionally mispronounced the wide receiver’s name. His attempt at humor transformed Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s name into a similar-sounding phrase resembling a racial slur, which did not sit well with viewers.

Response from the Seahawks

The Seahawks organization quickly voiced their disapproval. Their official PR account tweeted, “Hall of Famer Barry Sanders drew the short straw getting stuck with [Druski’s] big whiff tonight. Put some respect on [Seahawks] WR [Jaxon Smith-Njigba]’s name.”

Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu also expressed his discontent, simply stating that he found Druski’s performance unimpressive. Additionally, Seahawks Game Day Host Gee Scott, Jr. criticized the comedian, urging the NFL to avoid featuring Druski in future presentations. He emphasized the importance of respecting individuals’ names, particularly in significant moments.

The Fallout from the Incident

This incident has drawn parallels to past events in NFL history. It was reminiscent of Desmond Howard’s previous controversial comment involving quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. Misunderstandings like these often fail to land as intended.

In conclusion, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrated his achievement, the comedic misfire from Druski shifted the focus away from a deserving player. The Seahawks and their supporters have made it clear that respect for athletes’ names and identities is paramount.