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For the first time in history, the Green, White, and Blue of Sierra Leone has graced the winner’s podium at the Super Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose grandfather emigrated from Sierra Leone to the United States in the 1970s, helped lead his team to victory in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night. While the American media focused on the Seahawks’ triumph over the New England Patriots, for Sierra Leoneans watching across the globe, the defining image of the night was the small, distinct flag decal on the back of Smith-Njigba’s helmet.
The 23-year-old star, who was recently named the NFL’s 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, has become a potent symbol of the diaspora’s success, carrying his family’s name and nation into the most watched sporting event in the United States.
Smith-Njigba’s journey to Super Bowl glory is deeply intertwined with a promise to honor his ancestors. Born in Texas to Maada Smith-Njigba and Jami Smith, Jaxon grew up hearing stories of his paternal grandfather, John Njigba.
When John arrived in America decades ago, he made the difficult decision to change his surname to “Smith” to assimilate and secure employment—a struggle familiar to many immigrants. For years, the family name “Njigba” remained dormant on official documents.
However, in high school, Jaxon and his brother Canaan (a professional baseball player) made the decision to legally restore the full name “Smith-Njigba” to their jerseys.
“It’s our blood,” Smith-Njigba told reporters ahead of the game. “My dad made sure we knew where we came from and our background, and how our grandfather had to work for everything and change his name to get jobs. We know things aren’t going to be given to us.”
Throughout the 2025–2026 season, Smith-Njigba has participated in the NFL Heritage Program, which allows players to wear international flag decals on their helmets to represent their cultural backgrounds.
While many players wear flags from various nations, seeing the Sierra Leonean standard in the Super Bowl is a watershed moment for the country’s sporting profile. The decal—featuring the green of the agriculture and mountains, the white of unity and justice, and the blue of the natural harbor—was visible to an estimated global audience of over 120 million people as Smith-Njigba celebrated on the field in Santa Clara.
The Super Bowl victory caps a historic season for the young receiver. Smith-Njigba finished the regular season as the NFL’s premier offensive weapon, leading the league with:
- 1,793 receiving yards
- 119 receptions
- 10 touchdowns
In the NFC Championship game just two weeks prior, he was the difference-maker, hauling in 10 catches for 153 yards to book Seattle’s place in the final.
Although the New England Patriots defense keyed in on him during Sunday’s Super Bowl, limiting his yardage, his presence opened the field for his teammates to secure the 29–13 win. When the final whistle blew, Smith-Njigba was seen pointing to the name on his back—a name that his grandfather once had to hide, but which his grandson has now etched into history.
For Sierra Leone, a nation that cherishes its sporting heroes, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is no longer just an American football player. He is a son of the soil who has reminded the world that resilience, much like the name Njigba, endures.
