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The best protection on display during the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Houston Texans on Monday night wasn’t by anyone guarding either sideline.
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was caught in the middle of a nasty sideline scuffle in the fourth quarter when Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Sam Darnold on a pass intended for AJ Barner.
Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) gets his helmet knocked off by Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) who intercepted a pass intended for Njigba as Kamari Lassiter (4) looks on during 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 was stiff-armed by Stingley as the two stumbled onto the Texans’ sideline.
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Smith-Njigba’s helmet flew off during the play and he was pushed onto the bench by one Houston is playing. Several Texans then swarmed around Smith-Njigba, and that’s when the former NFL player-turned-official Nate Jones jumped in between.
In a now-viral moment, Jones got between Smith-Njigba and the animated Texans players, shielding 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 played down the interplay on the bench.
An official and Seattle Seahawks’ Cooper Kupp (10) lean over Jaxon Smith-Njigba sitting on the Houston Texans bench after 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)
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“Nah, I felt comfortable over there. It’s Monday night, I’m not really worried about anything when it comes to 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, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Jones was a seventh-round draft pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys before moving on to the Miami Dolphins in 2008. He also had brief stints with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots before turning to refereeing in 2019.
Smith-Njigba, who leads NFL in receiving yards this season, scored his fourth touchdown of the year and finished the 27-19 victory with eight receptions for 123 yards.
