NFL Apologizes for Jaxon Smith-Njigba's 2025 OPOY Trophy Error, Sending New Award
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 19
NFL Apologizes for Jaxon Smith-Njigba's 2025 OPOY Trophy Error, Sending New Award
10 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 19
Jaxon Smith-Njigba revealed on Instagram that his 2025 Offensive Player of the Year trophy was engraved as "Defensive Player of the Year" and also appeared to contain a spacing typo.
The NFL acknowledged the mistake Monday, apologized through spokesman Brian McCarthy and said a corrected trophy is being created and shipped to the Seahawks receiver.
Smith-Njigba called the error "disrespectful" and posted a follow-up message saying the league could "just keep the award at this point."
The mix-up follows another awards-night gaffe in February, when his name was mispronounced multiple times during the NFL Honors ceremony.
The 24-year-old is coming off a dominant 2025 season—119 catches, 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns—and recently signed a 4-year, $168.6 million extension after helping Seattle win the Super Bowl.
How does the NFL's most prestigious award end up with multiple embarrassing typos?
Could a trophy famous for its mistakes become more valuable than the real one?
After repeated slights, what will it take to repair the league's relationship with its top star?