Jaxon Smith‑Njigba Gets Wrong Trophy, NFL to Replace
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- Jaxon Smith‑Njigba posted an Instagram story showing his AP Offensive Player of the Year trophy incorrectly labeled “2025 Defensive Player Of The Year” and with a typo “TheYear”.
- Brian McCarthy of the NFL said the league will create and ship a corrected trophy, apologizing for the mistake.
- Jaxon Smith‑Njigba highlighted the error as “disrespectful” and referenced a prior mispronunciation at the NFL Honors ceremony.
- Jaxon Smith‑Njigba recently signed a four‑year, $168.6 million extension, making him the highest‑paid wide receiver at $42.15 million per year with over $120 million guaranteed.
Why it matters: Smith‑Njigba’s public callout forces the NFL to correct a high‑profile award blunder, protecting his personal brand while highlighting league operational slip‑ups that could erode fan trust.
