NFL official goes viral after stepping in to protect Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba during sideline scuffle

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The best protection displayed during the Seattle Seahawks' win over the Houston Texans on Monday night wasn’t by anyone suited up on either sideline.

Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was caught in the middle of an ugly sideline scuffle during the fourth quarter when Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted Sam Darnold on a pass intended for AJ Barner.

Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) has 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 in 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 a Houston player. Several Texans then crowded around Smith-Njigba, and that’s when former NFL player-turned-official Nate Jones jumped in between.

In a now-viral moment, Jones got in between Smith-Njigba and the animated Texans players and shielded him with both arms as the swarm of players was broken up.

After the game, Smith-Njigba gave credit to Stingley for making "a great play on the ball," but downplayed the interaction on the bench.

An official and Seattle Seahawks' Cooper Kupp (10) lean over Jaxon Smith-Njigba, sitting on the Houston Texans team bench, after the Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted a pass late in the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle,