Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s potty mouth was on full display during the Seahawks’ win over the Cardinals.

The 23-year-old Seattle Seahawks wide receiver was caught cursing on a hot mic after referee Alex Kemp called a penalty on him during the fourth quarter of their Thursday Night Football matchup on Thursday, Sept. 25.

As Kemp announced a holding penalty for Smith-Njigba after the play, the Seahawks player was heard yelling, “That’s some bulls—!”

Kemp heard the remark and looked displeased, serving full side-eye as he attempted to turn his mic off. Despite the referee’s attempt to silence the curse word, the moment already aired on the broadcast and was quickly uploaded to social media.

Prime broadcasters Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit were on call for the game when the slip-up happened. “It’s one thing if you say something in an open mic, but if the mic’s not open, right, you get away with it,” Michaels, 80, said.

Herbstreit noted that Kemp “gave him the look” after Smith-Njigba cursed, and Michaels agreed, adding, “He did, oh yeah.”

Herbstreit joked that the look from Kemp is the same one he’d give his sons. “My kids make fun of me…I have four sons, and when they were younger, I used to give them this look right here.”

The Seahawks were given a 10-yard penalty, but they went on to win the game 23-20 on the road in Arizona over the Cardinals.

After the game, quarterback Sam Darnold praised Smith-Njigba for stepping up in big moments on the field to help the Seahawks secure the win. “He’s just comfortable in those moments,” Darnold, 28, said of Smith-Njigba, according to A to Z Sports. “We have that rapport to where we can trust each other with different routes, feeling leverage and all those types of things,” he added.

Smith-Njigba gave a confident interview to reporters after the Seahawks’ win, saying he had “no doubt we were going to go down there and score” in the final quarter.

Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba Lets One Slip on National Broadcast — Fans and Referee React

Glendale, AZ — September 25, 2025

The NFL is a league full of high-stakes moments, but sometimes the drama unfolds off the stat sheet. During Thursday Night Football, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba found himself at the center of a viral moment that had fans laughing, social media buzzing, and even referee Alex Kemp showing visible displeasure.

The 23-year-old star was caught cursing on a hot mic after Kemp flagged him for a holding penalty during the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ 23–20 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Smith-Njigba’s candid outburst —

“That’s some bulls—!”

— quickly became an online sensation. Despite the referee’s attempt to silence the microphone, the moment was broadcast live and immediately uploaded to social media platforms, sparking a wave of fan reactions, memes, and commentary.

A Moment of Raw Emotion

Football, by its nature, is an emotional sport. Players operate under immense pressure, with split-second decisions that can dictate the outcome of games and careers. For Smith-Njigba, the penalty came at a critical juncture, and the frustration was palpable. His reaction was a mix of genuine emotion and competitive fire, a raw glimpse into the mentality of a young player striving to make his mark in the NFL.

Referee Alex Kemp was clearly unimpressed, giving Smith-Njigba a firm side-eye as he tried to mute the microphone. Broadcast commentators Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit captured the moment live, offering both insight and levity. Michaels, who has witnessed decades of football, joked,

“It’s one thing if you say something in an open mic, but if the mic’s not open, right, you get away with it. This time, it aired for the world to hear.”

Herbstreit added humor to the moment, comparing Kemp’s look to one any parent might give a misbehaving child:

“He gave him the look — the same one I’d give my sons when they step out of line. My kids make fun of me for it, but it works.”

This combination of seriousness from the official and humor from the broadcast team perfectly encapsulated the blend of professionalism and human emotion that makes live sports so unpredictable.

Impact on the Game

While the profanity itself was a momentary distraction, it did result in a 10-yard penalty against the Seahawks. Despite the setback, Seattle maintained composure and ultimately secured a narrow 23–20 victory over the Cardinals. Quarterback Sam Darnold praised Smith-Njigba’s resilience after the game, noting the wideout’s ability to step up in critical moments.

“He’s just comfortable in those moments,” Darnold said. “We have that rapport to where we can trust each other on different routes and leverage. It’s about playing smart, but also playing with confidence and trust.”

Smith-Njigba echoed this sentiment in his postgame remarks, exuding confidence despite the live-mic mishap.

“I had no doubt we were going to go down there and score,” he told reporters. “That’s the mindset we have — play smart, play aggressive, and trust each other. Penalties happen, mistakes happen, but we stay focused on winning.”

This response highlights the maturity of a young player navigating the pressures of the NFL while maintaining composure in high-stakes situations.

The Social Media Storm

Once the clip aired, it exploded online. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit shared screenshots, video clips, and memes, turning Smith-Njigba’s frustration into a trending topic. Many fans found humor in the situation, while others expressed sympathy for the young wide receiver dealing with the intense pressures of professional football.

“Seahawks WR fully channeling inner teenager on live TV,” one fan tweeted.
“Referee looked at him like he just found out Santa isn’t real,” joked another.

While some viewers criticized Smith-Njigba’s choice of words, the overwhelming reaction leaned toward amusement and relatability. Hot-mic moments, after all, are reminders that players are human, reacting in real time to the highs and lows of the game.

Hot-Mic Moments in NFL History

Smith-Njigba’s outburst joins a long line of memorable NFL hot-mic moments. From players reacting to penalties to coaches letting their emotions fly during sideline interviews, these unscripted events often become instant viral content.

For example, the 2013 Super Bowl broadcast captured a sideline exchange between players and officials that quickly circulated online, while in 2017, a defensive coordinator’s colorful reaction to a questionable call made headlines for days. These moments, much like Smith-Njigba’s incident, highlight the raw authenticity of live sports — moments that no producer or editor can manufacture.

Smith-Njigba’s Season So Far

This incident, while attention-grabbing, is just a minor footnote in an otherwise impressive season for Smith-Njigba. As a key weapon in the Seahawks’ offense, he has consistently stepped up in crucial moments, connecting with quarterback Sam Darnold on deep passes, third-down conversions, and red-zone opportunities.

His chemistry with Darnold has been a focal point of Seattle’s offensive resurgence. The duo’s ability to read defenses, adjust routes, and make precise throws has transformed the Seahawks’ passing attack, helping the team maintain a strong 6–2 record halfway through the season.

The Human Side of the Game

Beyond statistics, penalties, or viral clips, moments like Smith-Njigba’s outburst remind fans that football is an intensely human sport. Players feel the weight of expectations, the pressure of performance, and the frustration of split-second mistakes. In the heat of competition, emotions are inevitable, and sometimes, a hot-mic capture is all it takes to show the world the intensity behind the helmet.

NFL players, especially young stars like Smith-Njigba, are constantly under scrutiny. Every pass, run, or reception is analyzed, often under the unforgiving gaze of social media. While some might criticize a single word said in frustration, others see it as a glimpse of authenticity — a reminder that these athletes are living in the moment, giving their all for their team, and experiencing the highs and lows of the game just like fans do from the stands.

Looking Ahead

For the Seahawks, the focus remains on the field. Smith-Njigba’s professionalism, despite the hot-mic mishap, underscores his maturity and ability to bounce back from setbacks — a crucial trait as the team continues its push for a playoff berth.

Darnold, Smith-Njigba, and the Seahawks coaching staff will undoubtedly use moments like these as teaching tools, balancing passion with composure. The team’s strong performance against the Cardinals proves that even with minor distractions, Seattle can execute under pressure and continue their march toward success in the 2025 NFL season.

As for Smith-Njigba, the incident will likely be remembered fondly by fans, a viral snapshot of a competitive spirit that refuses to be silenced. In the grand scope of his career, it’s a humorous, humanizing moment — but one that also reflects the fire, determination, and intensity that makes him a standout performer in Seattle’s lineup.

In the end, Thursday Night Football reminded everyone why they love the NFL: the unpredictable plays, the nail-biting victories, and sometimes, the unfiltered, unedited human emotion captured on a hot mic for all the world to hear.