In April, Seattle selected Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba 20th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. This week, the Buckeye got a first look at his customized footwear for the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, special Week 13 kicks that bring awareness to Sarcoma Cancer and pay homage to his native Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex roots.
Through 11 games played, Smith-Njigba has shown several flashes of why he was a first-round selection, catching 38 passes for 406 yards and two touchdowns. Now, Smith-Njigba will pay homage to his Dallas roots and late family friend Ryan Roberson with his commemorative cleats.
Amongst the array of tattoos across Smith-Njigba's body is one for his native Dallas on his right arm - homage to his roots. The former Rockwall High star is the younger brother of Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba. Roberson was the elder Smith-Njigba's teammate and friend of the family before succumbing to Sarcoma Cancer. Smith-Njigba discusses the importance of highlighting the Roberson Little Warrior Foundation, as the work continues in the fight against Cancer.
"Little Warrior Foundation means a lot to me and my family," said Smith-Njigba. "It started a few years ago with my brother's teammate Ryan Roberson. He passed away due to an illness, and they started a foundation. I was able to support it back in high school, and for me to get this opportunity again to support and help raise money for the foundation - it means a lot to me and my family. He had a little brother, Reed, who was a good friend of mine. Ryan was a special person to me in the community. I remember a lot of times hanging out with him. Just putting smiles on a lot of people's faces; every time he was on the mound was a good day for my brother's team. I just remember him being an exceptional, loving person and a person that blessed a lot of people."
Smith-Njigba continued by diving into the importance of supporting Little Warrior in the fight against cancer.
"I think it's just important to raise awareness on things like this," said Smith-Njigba. "If I have an opportunity to just put some cleats on and help - I'm going to do whatever I can to do that. It has a special place in my heart and I'm happy I get to do it."
On returning to Dallas for the first time as an NFL player, Smith-Njigba said, "I'm super excited to go home. I love playing in Dallas, it's my favorite place to play. It's going to be very special to me, I've been playing in that stadium since I was a kid. For me to have a Seahawks uniform on playing against the Cowboys - it's an actual dream that I get to live out. So, I'm just super excited to do that. See all my family, all my friends and hopefully a lot of people from my community come out. It's going to be a special time. Not only for me, but everybody that's with me."
Seattle will sport their 1990’s throwbacks for the second time this season, as the two NFC teams prepare to square off on primetime television.
"I'm just going to try to take it all in," said Smith-Njigba. "Lot of things going on, but once that ball snaps, I'm just going to be as locked in and focused as I can. Just look around and enjoy the time that I'm there. Get to see family - it's just a special time for me. Just super excited and blessed that I get to do what I do. The Roberson family will be there, my family will be there. Going to be good to see them."
Smith-Njigba will look to help Seattle climb back into the win column this week, and he'll also be helping those across the country dealing with Sarcoma and other forms of Cancer by shedding light with his cleats.
Check out the custom-designed cleats for this years My Cause My Cleat. Some players will wear their cleats during the Week 13 Thursday Night game at Dallas.
Drew Lock is supporting Mission Outdoors for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Michael Dickson is supporting FSHD Global for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Geno Smith is supporting 7 Sunday Heroes Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Coby Bryant is supporting Footprints of Fight for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Coby Bryant is supporting Footprints of Fight for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Kenneth Walker III is supporting NAMI & Honoring Friend Devin for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Kenneth Walker III is supporting NAMI & Honoring Friend Devin for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Uchenna Nwosu is supporting Uchenna Nwosu Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is supporting Little Warrior Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
DK Metcalf is supporting Prison Fellowship for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
DK Metcalf is supporting Prison Fellowship for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jake Bobo is supporting Team Georgie Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Tre Brown is supporting Nick of Time Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Kenny McIntosh is supporting Seattle Children's Autsim Center for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Zach Charbonnet is supporting Williams Syndrome Association for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Zach Charbonnet is supporting Williams Syndrome Association for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Michael Jackson is supporting The Race Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Deejay Dallas is supporting The Deejay Dallas Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jerrick Reed II is supporting Tomorrow Needs You Scholarship Fund for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jerrick Reed II is supporting Tomorrow Needs You Scholarship Fund for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Christopher Stoll is supporting Uplifting Athletes for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Nick Bellore is supporting David Warsen Legacy for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Nick Bellore is supporting David Warsen Legacy for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Darrell Taylor is supporting Pink Lemonade Project for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Bobby Wagner is supporting FAST54 for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Bobby Wagner is supporting FAST54 for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Dre'mont Jones is supporting American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Ohio for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Derick Hall is supporting Derick Hall 1% Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Derick Hall is supporting Derick Hall 1% Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jon Rhattigan is supporting Mission 22 for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Phil Haynes is supporting Haven Hills Foster Care Community for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Phil Haynes is supporting Haven Hills Foster Care Community for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
McClendon Curtis is supporting YMCA Y-Cap for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
McClendon Curtis is supporting YMCA Y-Cap for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Charles Cross is supporting NAMI - Mississippi for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Charles Cross is supporting NAMI - Mississippi for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Abraham Lucas is supporting Society of St Vincent DePaul for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jake Curhan is supporting Camp Young Judaea for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Jake Curhan is supporting Camp Young Judaea for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Raiqwon O'Neal is supporting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center & Stephanie's Lifeline H.O.P.E for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Raiqwon O'Neal is supporting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center & Stephanie's Lifeline H.O.P.E for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Dareke Young is supporting The Lupus Foundation of America for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Dareke Young is supporting The Lupus Foundation of America for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Colby Parkinson is supporting Children's Hunger Fund & Northwest Parkinson's Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Colby Parkinson is supporting Children's Hunger Fund & Northwest Parkinson's Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Will Dissly is supporting Seattle Humane Society for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Tyreke Smith is supporting Jed Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Myles Adams is supporting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Myles Adams is supporting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Blitz is supporting Kicks4Kids for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Blitz is supporting Kicks4Kids for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
The Seahawks Dancers are supporting Broadview Domestic Violence Shelter for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Pete Carroll is supporting Midnight Basketball Program for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Pete Carroll is supporting Midnight Basketball Program for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
John Schneider is supporting Ben's Fund for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Cliff Avril, Doug Baldwin & Michael Bennett are supporting Champions of Change for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Shane Waldron is supporting Angelman Syndrome Foundation for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Walter Jones is supporting American Cancer Society for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Neiko Thorpe is supporting Alhzeimer's Association for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Neiko Thorpe is supporting Alhzeimer's Association for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Sanjay Lal is supporting OHIO SPCA for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Mario Bailey is supporting Parents of Murdered Children for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
Mario Bailey is supporting Parents of Murdered Children for 2023 My Cause My Cleats during Week 13 vs. the Cowboys.
