Smith-Njigba highlights engraving error on NFL award
The 24-year-old receiver, who set franchise records in the 2025 season, pointed out incorrect categorisation and formatting on the plaque he received following the Super Bowl victory.
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has drawn attention to a procedural oversight within the National Football League after receiving a trophy engraved with incorrect details. The 24-year-old, who secured the league’s offensive player of the year accolade, noted that the physical award was labelled as the defensive player of the year.
Smith-Njigba detailed the discrepancies in a video posted to Instagram, highlighting both the categorical error and a formatting flaw in the text. He pointed out that the engraving read “Defensive Player of TheYear,” noting the absence of a space between “The” and “Year.” The player, who recorded three tackles during the 2025 season, questioned the accuracy of the defensive designation given his role as a receiver.
The error stands in contrast to Smith-Njigba’s performance metrics from the 2025 season, where he established new Seattle Seahawks franchise records with 119 receptions and 1,793 receiving yards. His contributions were instrumental in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory that year. Following the campaign, the receiver signed a four-year contract extension valued at $168.6 million.
While Smith-Njigba expressed frustration with the oversight, stating that the mistake felt disrespectful, he ultimately decided against returning the item. In a caption accompanying his video, he suggested that the league should retain the flawed award, advising them to “leave it in the history books.”
It remains unclear whether the NFL has acknowledged the engraving error or if any corrective measures will be implemented. The identity of the entity responsible for the production of the trophy, whether the league office or a third-party manufacturer, has not been specified in the available records.
