Hosts Criticize NFL, Comedian for Butchering Player's Name

KIRO radio hosts call for apology after Druski mispronounces Jaxon Smith-Njigba's name during NFL Honors ceremony.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:39pm

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, but the award ceremony was overshadowed when comedian Druski struggled to pronounce his name. KIRO radio hosts Gee Scott, Ursula Reutin, and Angela Poe Russell criticized the NFL for allowing this to happen and called for a verbal apology from the league, commissioner Roger Goodell, and Druski himself.

Why it matters

The mispronunciation of Smith-Njigba's name is seen as disrespectful and an example of how large organizations sometimes fail to properly recognize and honor the identities of diverse athletes and public figures. The hosts argue this reflects a broader issue of not elevating the right people for high-profile roles.

The details

During the NFL Honors ceremony, comedian Druski struggled to pronounce Jaxon Smith-Njigba's name when announcing him as the Offensive Player of the Year. KIRO hosts criticized Druski for not using Smith-Njigba's nickname 'JSN' instead, and said he could have easily avoided mispronouncing the name. The hosts called on the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell, and Druski himself to apologize for 'stealing a moment' from Smith-Njigba and his family.

  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year on February 6, 2026.

The players

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The NFL Offensive Player of the Year, whose name was mispronounced during the awards ceremony.

Druski

A comedian who struggled to pronounce Smith-Njigba's name while presenting the award.

Roger Goodell

The NFL Commissioner who the hosts say should apologize for the incident.

Gee Scott

A KIRO radio host who called for apologies from the NFL and Druski.

Ursula Reutin

A KIRO radio host who criticized the NFL's choice of Druski as the presenter.

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What they’re saying

“Dude, you could have called him JSN — if you really were confused, which I don't think you were — just say JSN, which you eventually did anyway. But to even go that route ...”

— Ursula Reutin, KIRO radio host (KIRO Newsradio)

“In such a big moment, too. To get Offensive Player of the Year in the league, huge moment.”

— Angela Poe Russell, KIRO radio fill-in host (KIRO Newsradio)

“Apologize for stealing a moment last night at the NFL honors. You stole a moment from Jaxon Smith-Njigba. You stole a moment from his father, Maada Smith-Njigba. You stole a moment from his brother, Canaan Smith-Njigba. You stole a moment from his mother, Jami.”

— Gee Scott, KIRO radio host (KIRO Newsradio)

“Names for so many people mean something, especially when you are, like most of us, descendants of immigrants. And for him, whose grandfather came here from Sierra Leone, changed his name to Smith so he could fit in, and to have Jaxon reclaim that name in high school, to reclaim the name and say, I am Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”

— Angela Poe Russell, KIRO radio fill-in host (KIRO Newsradio)

“NOBODY TOLD ME HOW TO PRONOUNCE 'Jaxon Smith-Njigba' (laughing and crying emojis) CONGRATS THOUGH !”

— Druski (Instagram)

What’s next

The hosts have called for a verbal apology from the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell, and Druski. It remains to be seen if they will issue such an apology.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of respecting the identities and names of diverse athletes and public figures, and the need for large organizations to be more thoughtful in selecting hosts and presenters who can properly honor those identities. It also reflects a broader issue of not always elevating the right people for high-profile roles.