Druski mispronounces Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s name, using the N-word, at NFL Honors while announcing Offensive Player of the Year [VIDEO]

The comedian’s shock-style delivery sparks backlash and debate after echoing a racial slur on live television

This segment from the 2026 NFL Honors was supposed to be a straightforward award announcement. However, it quickly turned into one of the night’s most polarizing moments. Druski, presenting alongside NFL legend Barry Sanders, took the stage to reveal Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. Already, Druski finds his name involved in controversy. Instead of simply reading the name, Druski twisted Smith-Njigba’s surname into “Najeeba,” evoking the sound of the N-word. As a result, immediately shifting the tone of the broadcast.

The brief moment lasted only seconds on live television, but the reaction was instant. The laughter heard from pockets of the audience couldn’t mask the confusion rippling across social media as viewers replayed the clip. Many argued that Druski knew exactly what he was doing, especially since his pauses and repeated attempts appeared more comedic than accidental.

The clip spread on social media, via @FearedBuck on X, within minutes.

How the Moment Unfolded On Stage as Druski Made the Announcement

The setup of the moment painted the picture of a routine award segment. Druski opened the envelope while Sanders stood beside him, and he noted that Smith-Njigba wasn’t present for the ceremony. His delivery was calm until he reached the name, where he shifted into the elongated, exaggerated pronunciation that would ignite the controversy. Saying “Jackson Smith Najeeba,” then repeating variations like “Najiba JSN,” Druski leaned into the kind of comedic rhythm familiar to fans of his internet skits.

Audience reactions were mixed. Some clapped immediately, unsure whether they had witnessed a mistake or an intentional joke. Cameras caught a few smiling faces, but the uncertainty lingered. Druski’s own brief laugh and head shake made it difficult to interpret the moment as accidental. Sanders, meanwhile, maintained a composed expression, clapping politely as the segment transitioned to its conclusion.

Even without explicit commentary during the broadcast, the energy in the room felt tense. Within seconds of the closing applause, the clip had already been cut from the live feed and shared online, becoming the defining moment of the night before half the award categories had even been announced.

Why the Pronunciation Struck Viewers As Deliberate Instead of Accidental

What amplified the controversy was the perception that Druski leaned into the mispronunciation with intent. Viewers on X pointed out that he had pronounced the first part of the name correctly before bending the ending into something unmistakably close to a racial slur. Users highlighted the rhythm of his delivery, the repeated variations, and the comedic timing he employed. Thus, suggesting that the moment was engineered to go viral rather than simply being an honest stumble.

Critics also noted that Smith-Njigba’s surname had already been pronounced correctly countless times across broadcasts and highlight reels, including during major playoff games. The idea that Druski would both misread and repeatedly embellish the name strained credibility for many viewers. Some called it “clip farming.” Therefore, accusing him of using another person’s award moment to generate social media traction.

That interpretation became even stronger as the clip gained millions of views. Fans contrasted the mispronunciation with Smith-Njigba’s season accomplishments. Thus, arguing that a historic achievement should not have been overshadowed by a viral joke.

JSN’s Absence and How the Moment Overshadowed His Historic Season

One of the most striking parts of the controversy is that Jaxon Smith-Njigba wasn’t even in the building when his name was called. Druski mentioned his absence while opening the envelope. As a result, noting that the Offensive Player of the Year winner “decided not to pull up tonight.” With no acceptance speech and no live reaction from JSN, the focus instantly drifted away from the achievement itself and toward the mispronunciation that followed.

The moment was especially frustrating for Seahawks fans because Smith-Njigba’s 2025 season wasn’t just award-worthy — it was historic. He recorded 132 receptions, 1,965 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns, a statistical profile that placed him at the very top of the league. Also, it solidified him as one of the NFL’s premier offensive weapons. His dominance played a key role in Seattle’s resurgence and made him one of the most talked-about players entering 2026.

Instead of the broadcast spotlight reinforcing his record-setting year, the presentation became overshadowed by Druski’s delivery. What should have been a defining moment in JSN’s young career turned into a viral debate. Therefore, shifting attention from one of the greatest wide receiver seasons in recent memory to a controversy that he did nothing to create.

The Internet Divides Over Whether the Moment Was Funny or Disrespectful

Once the clip hit X, reactions split immediately into two camps. Supporters of Druski argued that his brand of humor has always pushed boundaries and that comedy, especially on live TV, leaves room for improvisation. They saw the exaggerated mispronunciation as classic Druski and defended him for bringing entertainment to an otherwise formal ceremony.

Critics saw something else entirely. Replies with thousands of likes insisted that the moment was not only disrespectful but also intentional. Several called it the first time they felt Druski had crossed a line. Others accused him of trying to capitalize on controversy by producing a moment that would almost certainly go viral across multiple platforms. A common theme across the criticism was the idea that athletes deserve respect for their names, especially during major career achievements.

Some posts blurred the line between critique and humor, replaying the clip in disbelief. Others demanded an apology, questioned why the NFL tolerated it, or compared it to previous award-show gaffes. What united most reactions was acknowledgment that the moment would overshadow the award itself.

Controversy Grows As Fans Debate Intent and Disrespect

As the clip continued to spread across X, conversations shifted from the shock of the moment to the question of intent behind Druski’s delivery. Many viewers argued that the mispronunciation sounded too deliberate to be written off as a simple mistake, especially because he repeated it multiple times with the same exaggerated inflection. Those who watched it live felt the rhythm, pauses, and emphasis reflected a calculated attempt at creating a viral moment rather than an accidental stumble on a difficult surname.

Fans frustrated by the moment emphasized how easily a player’s name can be respected, especially during a major career milestone. They questioned why, during an event meant to honor the league’s best performers, the presentation veered into shock humor that shifted attention away from the award itself. The sentiment echoed strongly in replies accusing Druski of overshadowing Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s achievement. They accused him of turning a historic moment into a punchline.

Others saw the clip as part of a recurring conversation about professionalism on live television. The debate centered on whether improvisational comedy has a place during award presentations when the focus should remain on the players’ accomplishments. Regardless of where fans stood, the moment quickly moved beyond an on-stage slip. Additionally, it became a larger discussion about respect, timing, and understanding the weight of certain language when millions are watching.

Conclusion

The moment at the NFL Honors became a flashpoint not because of its length but because of the weight it carried. In less than twenty seconds, a routine award announcement transformed into a cultural debate, redirecting the spotlight away from one of the league’s most dominant young receivers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s remarkable 2025 campaign was capped by 132 receptions, 1,965 yards, and 12 touchdowns. So, it deserved a presentation that reflected its significance. However, the reaction on social media made it clear that many viewers felt that standard wasn’t met.

As the conversation expanded across social platforms, the divide highlighted how easily live television can drift into unintended territory. For some, the moment represented an attempt at comedy that didn’t land. However, for others, it symbolized the importance of respecting athletes whose names and achievements carry meaning far beyond a brief ceremony. With JSN absent from the event and choosing not to speak on the controversy, the discourse grew louder in his silence. Thus, underscoring how public reactions can shape the narrative of a moment he never directly participated in.

The incident ultimately serves as a reminder of how thin the line is between humor and distraction on stages where accomplishments should stand at the forefront. Whether viewed as an off-script joke or a mistake that crossed boundaries, the impact remained the same. A night designed to honor the NFL’s best instead sparked conversations about timing, respect, and responsibility. And in the midst of it, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic season remained the anchor point. It was a performance strong enough to rise above even the loudest viral moment attached to his name.

The post Druski mispronounces Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s name, using the N-word, at NFL Honors while announcing Offensive Player of the Year [VIDEO] appeared first on Hip Hop Vibe.

source https://hip-hopvibe.com/news/druski-jaxon-smith-njigba-nfl-honors/