By SierraEye Magazine
Freetown, 9th February 2026- Sierra Leone is basking in pride after Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba etched his name into history as only the second player of Sierra Leonean descent to win the NFL’s Super Bowl.
On Sunday night, the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, clinching the franchise’s second championship. The victory capped off a season defined by grit and resilience, with Smith-Njigba, affectionately known as JSN, playing a pivotal role in Seattle’s rise to the top.
For Sierra Leoneans worldwide, the moment carries deep significance. Smith-Njigba now joins Gibril Wilson, the former New York Giants safety who lifted the Lombardi Trophy in 2008, as a trailblazer proudly representing Sierra Leonean heritage on football’s grandest stage.
Born in the United States to a father of Sierra Leonean descent, Smith-Njigba has never shied away from honoring his roots. He adorns his helmet with the Sierra Leone flag and often speaks about the lessons of perseverance passed down from his grandfather, who immigrated from Sierra Leone.
The 23-year-old star capped off an extraordinary 2025 season by earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the league in receiving yards. While his Super Bowl performance was modest in numbers, his presence and big-play ability throughout the season proved vital to Seattle’s championship run.
This triumph is more than a football victory, it is a cultural milestone, a moment of pride for Sierra Leoneans everywhere, and a reminder of the global reach of the sport.
