Jaxon Smith-Njigba maintained his pursuit of establishing a new NFL benchmark for receiving yards in a victorious outing for the Seattle Seahawks, a result that secured their leading position for the NFC’s premier seed.
Conversely, the outcome was significantly less positive for the Kansas City Chiefs – whose playoff prospects had already concluded in week 15 – as they endured another defeat. Nevertheless, they achieved a different kind of milestone when Chris Oladokun became the NFL’s inaugural quarterback of verifiable African heritage to successfully complete a pass during a regular season game.
This accomplishment followed the addition of NFL IPP athlete Chu Godrick to the active roster. While the Chiefs’ current season might not be their most successful, it undeniably marks a period of significant advancement for players of African origin within their organization.
African Player of the Week: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Smith-Njigba registered the decisive touchdown that propelled the Seattle Seahawks to a thrilling 38-37 overtime triumph against the Los Angeles Rams, positioning them firmly atop the NFC standings.
As the regular season winds down with two weeks remaining, Smith-Njigba remains a contender for the NFL’s all-time receiving yards record. His performance against the Rams, contributing 96 yards, elevated his seasonal total to 1,637. Surpassing Calvin Johnson’s 2012 record of 1,964 yards presents a significant challenge. Nevertheless, the history of the league is replete with much more astonishing outcomes.
Facing a 37-30 deficit with merely three minutes remaining in the extra period, Smith-Njigba – whose ancestry traces to Sierra Leone – expertly navigated through numerous defenders to secure a four-yard pass from Sam Darnold in the center of the field for a touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion then granted them the advantage, a lead they successfully defended to assert their dominance in the fiercely contested NFC West division.
The Seahawks currently boast a 12-3 season record, contrasting with the 11-4 records held by both the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams.
While Smith-Njigba’s touchdown might have been his most critical play, he consistently eroded the Rams’ defensive efforts throughout the match.
A notable grab occurred during the middle of the third quarter, where he brilliantly secured a 20-yard reception in a confined area, despite defensive pressure, causing Josh Wallace and Omar Speights to collide.
His longest reception in the game covered 27 yards, and he played a crucial role in the Seahawks’ comeback from a 30-14 deficit in the final quarter, securing a victory that unequivocally affirmed their potential as Super Bowl contenders.
African Moment of the Week: Chris Oladokun
Oladokun – whose paternal lineage originates from Nigeria – etched his name into NFL annals during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 26-9 defeat against the Tennessee Titans, marking him as the first quarterback of direct African lineage to execute a successful pass in a regular season fixture.
The Chiefs faced a challenging game, and Oladokun’s debut significant play occurred under demanding conditions. Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during the week 15 loss to the LA Chargers, extinguishing their playoff aspirations and promoting Gardner Minshew II to the starting role, while Oladokun was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.
Oladokun had previously experienced minimal playing time during a 38-0 defeat to the Denver Broncos in the Chiefs’ concluding regular season game of 2024. In that appearance, his contribution was limited to a solitary five-yard carry.
On this occasion, he was presented with his initial genuine opportunity to exhibit his abilities when Minshew was sidelined in the opening half. His six-yard throw to Travis Kelce midway through the second quarter became a historical event.
Initially, Oladokun encountered difficulties asserting command in a tough contest, yet he concluded with a commendable stat line: 11 completions out of 16 attempts for 111 yards, alongside seven yards gained from two rushing attempts.
Crucially, the globe now possesses concrete evidence, courtesy of the former quarterback from South Florida, Samford, and South Dakota State, demonstrating that an athlete with documented African ancestry can effectively direct an NFL team’s offensive strategy.
Honorable mentions
The matchup between the Chiefs and the Titans also featured standout displays from players of African origin on the victorious team. Chimere Dike and Chigoziem Okonkwo, both possessing Nigerian backgrounds, each contributed touchdowns for the Titans.
The Seahawks’ victory over the Rams offered more reasons for the African continent to celebrate beyond a single player’s performance. Nick Emmanwori, with Nigerian connections, executed 11 tackles for Seattle, while Nate Landman, a native of Harare, achieved a sack despite his team’s loss for the Rams.
The Atlanta Falcons’ 26-19 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals was another contest that highlighted significant defensive actions from athletes of African lineage on both competing squads.
BJ Ojulari, stemming from Nigerian heritage, secured a sack for the Cardinals; however, Arnold Ebiketie, born in Yaoundé, successfully recorded a sack of his own and concluded the game on the winning side.
During the New York Giants’ narrow 16-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, commendable contributions from Bobby Okereke, of Nigerian ancestry (13 tackles), and Paulson Adebo, with Beninese roots, who registered an interception, ultimately proved insufficient.
Africa-born Player Watch
Considering his dual achievements of an individual sack and a team victory, Ebiketie emerges as the most prominent African-born player in the sixteenth week.
His exceptional performance arrived at a crucial juncture, as his current agreement is set to conclude once the season ends. With the Falcons’ playoff hopes diminished, Ebiketie has only two more opportunities to play before a determination regarding his professional future must be reached.
