After initially calling out the NFL for an erroneous mistake with his Offensive Player of the Year trophy, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba laughed off the error a little on social media. Popular Seahawks podcast host Brian Nemhauser, though, wasn’t laughing at all.
On Tuesday night, Nemhauser ripped into the league for mislabeling the OPOY trophy for Smith-Njigba.
A picture of the trophy from the wide receiver’s social media account early Tuesday showed the trophy read, “defensive” player of the year instead of “offensive.”
“I think it’s honestly, jokes aside, I think it’s shameful. I really, really do,” said Nemhauser. “It isn’t just that this is the one thing that happened. They also had a comedian go up there and butcher his name intentionally. Like, that wasn’t them doing it, but it did happen.
“So shame on the NFL for boating one of their rising stars who is not only great at the game but a great guy.”
‘I think it’s honestly, jokes aside, I think it’s shameful. I really really do. It isn’t just that this is the one thing that happened, they also
Nemhauser was referring to the NFL Honors ceremony where presenter Druski mispronounced Smith-Njigba’s name when he won the award.
The Seahawks wideout became the 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year while leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards. He also had 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
Smith-Njigba led the NFL with a 14.5 yards per touch average in 2025 as well.
Seahawks Pundit Defends Jaxon Smith-Njigba After NFL Gaffe
Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks podcast host came to Smith-Njigba’s defense. Seattle fans did the same on social media after the receiver shared the errors on the OPOY trophy he received.
In addition to the wrong title of the award, there was no space between “The” and “Year” on the trophy.
It’s hard to believe a billion dollar industry could be so sloppy in an award for one of its top young playmakers. Nemhauser and others were right to rip into the NFL for the trophy label mistakes for Smith-Njigba.
Even national NFL pundits appeared to find the errors appalling. NFL insider Jordan Schultz called the mistakes “insane” in a social media post Tuesday.
JSN’s response: “It’s getting disrespectful at this point.”
(🎥 @jaxon_smith1)
To the league’s credit, it plans to correct the mistake. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the media the league will send Smith-Njigba a new trophy.
NFL Put on Blast Over Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba OPOY Trophy Mistake