Druski's NFL Honors Name Flub Ignites Social Media Firestorm
NFL insider Ari Meirov shared a 20-second clip that has set the internet ablaze, featuring comedian and influencer Druski struggling to pronounce Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's surname. The incident occurred during the NFL Honors 2026 ceremony, where Smith-Njigba was awarded the prestigious Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year Award. The 31-year-old Druski, presenting on behalf of the absent winner, began with a faltering announcement: "The winner decided not to pull up tonight…so on his behalf…Jaxson Smith-Na-Na-Njigba… [----]ba… [----]ba… Najib… Najiba…"
NFL legend and co-presenter Barry Sanders quickly intervened, prompting the correct pronunciation with a clear "Njigba," to which Druski responded with an abbreviated "JSN!" The brief but cringe-worthy moment was captured and posted on X, where it rapidly went viral, amassing over 1.3 million views, more than 270 comments, 520 reposts, 7,600 hearts, and 990 bookmarks within a short timeframe.
Outrage and Calls for Apology Dominate Online Discourse
The viral clip sparked immediate backlash across social media platforms, with many users condemning Druski's actions as disrespectful and inappropriate. Sports and culture commentator Jon Root voiced strong criticism in an X post, stating: "Comedian Druski pronounced Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s last name as '[----]ba' for the Offensive Player of the Year award at NFL Honors. The NFL & Druski should be embarrassed, & apologize. Making a crude joke during this special moment is inexcusable."
User reactions on Meirov's post echoed this sentiment, with one commenter asserting, "That was intentional too he doing way too much." Another added, "Acting like that wasn't intentional. Had to make the moment about himself." Further criticism included suggestions that presenters should be properly briefed on name pronunciations, with one user writing, "Should probably start telling these people how to pronounce their names." Others called the moment "embarrassing and disrespectful" and questioned Druski's fame and invitation to the event.
Accusations of Intentional Clip Farming Surface
Beyond accusations of disrespect, many cybercitizens speculated that Druski's mispronunciation was a calculated move in line with "clip farming"—a digital content strategy where creators intentionally stage dramatic or outrageous moments during live events to generate viral clips for social media growth. Comments flooded in labeling the incident as "shameless clip farming," "most obvious clip farm be serious," and "definitely on purpose."
One user noted, "It went exactly as planned dude," while another observed, "He said that [---] on purpose." This perspective suggests that the awkward moment may have been premeditated to maximize online engagement and visibility, rather than a genuine error.
Super Bowl Context Adds Fuel to the Controversy
Adding another layer to the controversy, users pointed out that Druski's remark about Smith-Njigba "deciding not to pull up" was factually inaccurate and tone-deaf. As one X user highlighted, "Not only did you butcher his name, yes most people didn't find it funny, but to say 'he decided not to pull up'? How are you presenting a football award when you dont even know the man is preparing to play in the Super Bowl in 3 days!?"
Indeed, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seattle Seahawks are set to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM ET. This oversight further fueled criticism that Druski was unprepared and disrespectful of the athlete's significant upcoming commitment.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about professionalism at award ceremonies, cultural sensitivity regarding name pronunciations, and the ethics of viral content creation in the digital age. As the clip continues to circulate, it remains a hot topic among NFL fans and social media users alike.
