Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of the most talked-about players in the National Football League (NFL) this year. The wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks has captured attention not just for his performance on the field, but also for proudly carrying the green, white and blue of Sierra Leone on his helmet at every game.
Born on February 14, 2002, in Nacogdoches, Texas, Smith-Njigba played high school football in Rockwall, Texas before moving on to college football with the Ohio State Buckeyes. At OSU, he emerged as one of the most prolific receivers in the university’s history, including creating a school record for the most receptions in one game, as well as one for the most receiving yards in a year.
He was drafted by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft, in the first round, 20th overall. He has been quick to prove his worth for the Seahawks.
In his early years, Smith-Njigba continued to develop as a player. In his second year, he became a full-time starter and established himself as the team’s top receiving threat. In the 2025 season, he led the entire league in receiving yards with 1,793 on 119 catches and also scored 10 touchdowns. That performance earned him First-Team All-Pro honours, one of the highest individual recognitions in the NFL.
His ability to make catches all over the field — whether short passes that turn into big gains or deep throws that flip the field — makes him one of the most difficult players for defenders to cover. Commentators and analysts have noted that he combines precise route running, strong hands and intelligent field awareness, making him a matchup problem for opposing defences.
Smith-Njigba’s roots are part of what makes his story special. His paternal grandparents were born in Sierra Leone and later moved to the United States. In honour of that heritage, he chooses to wear the Sierra Leone flag on his helmet as part of the NFL’s Heritage Program, which allows players to display a flag meaningful to their background or ancestry.
For many Sierra Leoneans, seeing the green, white and blue on one of the biggest stages in American sports — from Sunday games to the Super Bowl — is a moment of national pride.
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Beyond his statistics, Smith-Njigba has grown into a leader for the Seahawks. He had been resilient with consistent production and breakout performances to put him among the best in the league at his position. In 2025, he also took home NFL Offensive Player of the Year from the Pro Football Writers of America after a record-setting season for Seattle’s passing game.
Records, honours, big-play ability-he’s done it all within a 23-year-old career. Smith-Njigba remains at the centre of everything the Seahawks do while chasing championship goals; even he has taken part in the biggest stages in the NFL, such as the Super Bowl, and it seems like he is still getting bigger. To the football fans and supporters in Sierra Leone and all over the world, he represented athletic excellence and acted as a link between cultures, carrying his heritage with pride at every game.
