Internet comedian Druski is facing a ton of backlash from the NFL community this month - and rightfully so.
Last Thursday night, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. This wasn't really a surprise considering he hauled in 119 passes for 1,793 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Smith-Njigba's name was butchered by Druski during the "NFL Honors" in San Francisco. Druski mispronounced the Seahawks star's last name so poorly that countless people accused him of intentionally disrespecting him.
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Former Fox Sports personality Emmanuel Acho called out Druski on the latest episode of his "Speakeasy" podcast.
"Shoutout to what you’ve done and what you’ve built in your career. I believe you’re the best one doing it right now. But know the time and the place. And when it’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s time and it’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s place, then just say his name right, fix your face, and keep it moving. And what ran me hot about that is like, Druski, that moment was not about you," Acho said, via Awful Announcing.
"And also, names carry weight. Names are significant. Especially family names. Names are powerful. And you want to take the time at the Super Bowl to now decide you know what, I’m gonna get a joke off. I’m gonna have a viral moment. We spent so much more time talking about Druski mispronouncing his name than we spent talking about the actual player who dominated the game. That makes no sense to me. And also, you know it was an intentional joke that fell flat because he said his name right first and then proceeded to say his name wrong and get all his hahas and hehes out of the way."
JSN fires back.
Smith-Njigba ultimately got the last laugh, winning Super Bowl LX on Sunday night. After defeating the New England Patriots in the final game of the season, he opened up the meaning behind his last name.
"My grandfather came to these United States in the ’70s. Had to work for everything that he had," Smith-Njigba told reporters, via Awful Announcing. "Brought a lot of people over here, brought a lot of family over here. And he was a leader and took pride in who he was and what he had to give back to. And I represent him, I represent my family, I represent Sierra Leone, Bo, Freetown. It’s an honor just to even say that. It’s an honor to just say that in front of you all, and I take great pride in it."
Clearly, Smith-Njigba wasn't interested in stooping down to Druski's level.
Congratulations to Smith-Njigba on an incredible season with the Seahawks.