Chaos Erupts: Jaxon Smith-Njigba Shouts Into Ref’s Mic Following Penalty
Share this article:
Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba Shouts Into Refs Mic After Controversial Penalty

Sometimes emotions get the best of players - especially when six points get wiped off the board.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba found that out the hard way Thursday night. After what should've been a touchdown run by Zach Charbonnet, the play got called back thanks to a holding penalty - and the guilty party, at least according to the officials, was Smith-Njigba.
The rookie receiver didn’t exactly keep quiet about it.
As the referee began announcing the call, Smith-Njigba passed by a hot mic and let his frustration fly: "That's some bulls-." The reaction wasn’t just heard - it echoed across the stadium. Millions watching at home caught it too.
To his credit, the ref froze mid-call and locked eyes with JSN. For a moment, it looked like a second flag might come flying out - this time for unsportsmanlike conduct.
But Smith-Njigba caught a break. No extra penalty.
No automatic first down the other way. Just a few moments of viral TV.
The foul itself was costly, though. Instead of putting six more on the board, the Seahawks had to settle for a field goal. They stretched the lead to 20-6 with over nine minutes still to play, but that missed opportunity to go up 24-6 could’ve loomed larger had the game tightened.
Now, every wideout gets frustrated when a big touchdown gets erased by a flag, and rookie or not, Smith-Njigba’s reaction was nothing we haven’t seen before. But timing is everything. And when the referee is five feet away, live mic in hand, and half the stadium is quiet, it’s probably best to keep it in - at least for a beat.
Smith-Njigba can play. That much is clear. But Thursday night was a reminder that NFL moments are under the microscope - and sometimes, under the microphone too.