NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The best protection on display during the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Houston Texans on Monday night wasn’t anyone dressed on either sideline.
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was caught in the middle of an ugly fight on the sideline during the fourth quarter when Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted Sam Darnold on a pass intended for AJ Barner.
Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) has his helmet ripped off by Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24), who intercepted a pass intended for Njigba as Kamari Lassiter (4) watches in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Smith-Njigba jumped into blocking mode, but Stingley stopped him as the two stumbled into the Texans bench.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Smith-Njigba’s helmet flew off during the play and a man pushed him to the bench. houston player. Several Texans then crowded around Smith-Njigba, and that’s when former NFL player-turned-official Nate Jones stepped into the middle.
In a now-viral moment, Jones stepped between Smith-Njigba and the animated Texans players and shielded him with both arms as the swarm of players broke up.
After the game, Smith-Njigba credited Stingley for making “a great play on the ball” but downplayed the interaction on the bench.
An official and Cooper Kupp (10) of the Seattle Seahawks lean over Jaxon Smith-Njigba, sitting on the Houston Texans team bench, after the Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted a pass late in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE SHINES AS SAM DARNOLD LEADS OFFENSE OVER TEXANS IN HOME VICTORY
“No, I felt comfortable there. It’s Monday night, I’m not really worried about anything as far as my face and all that.”
When asked specifically about Jones’ intervention, Smith-Njigba was grateful.
“Yeah, we had a nice little conversation. I took a deep breath, tried to enjoy the moment as much as I could, and ran back to my sideline.”
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Jones was a seventh-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons as a cornerback for the dallas cowboys before moving to the Miami Dolphins in 2008. He also had brief stints with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots before turning to officiating in 2019.
Smith-Njigba, who heads the NFL in receiving yards this season, he scored his fourth touchdown of the year and finished the 27-19 victory with eight receptions for 123 yards.
