Super Bowl LX: Meet Uchenna Nwosu, Jaxon Smith-Njigba & More Nigerian-Heritage Players on the Big Stage

The countdown is formally on for Sizable Bowl LX, kicking off on Sunday, 8 February, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Whereas the enviornment will almost definitely be looking at for the touchdowns, the halftime repeat and your total pageantry that contains soccer’s biggest night, our consideration is firmly on the players bringing Inexperienced-White-Inexperienced pride to the discipline.

Because the Seattle Seahawks — dwelling to the top different of players of Nigerian descent in this year’s Sizable Bowl — face off in opposition to the Unique England Patriots, Nigerian-heritage athletes are woven honest staunch into the heart of the championship dialog. From file-breaking huge receivers to defensive anchors who’ve been preserving it down all season, their presence is extraordinarily unlikely to omit.

And the Naija displaying doesn’t stop there. The Tennessee Titans are also represented via Chimere Dike, adding to a unprecedented wider Nigerian footprint across Sizable Bowl weekend.

Here’s a nearer fee at our brothers going in Sizable Bowl historic previous, ready to toddle the final prize.

The Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks fetch change into the unofficial dwelling for Nigerian expertise this season. Their disappear to the Sizable Bowl has been paved by a defensive unit that appears to be like to be like extra cherish a family reunion.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Extensive Receiver)

Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Maada Smith-Njigba, of Sierra Leonean and Nigerian descent, and Jami Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has mercurial change into a standout necessary particular person for the Seattle Seahawks. Drafted 20th total within the first Round of the 2023 NFL Draft from Ohio Speak, he performed the 2025 season with 119 receptions, 1,793 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. His performance marked the first time a Seahawks receiver led the league in receiving yards, incomes him the 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Yr award. Identified for his accurate routes, find fingers, and agility, Jaxon has cemented himself as a central settle within the Seahawks’ offense.

Slash Emmanwori (Security)

Slash Emmanwori hails from Irmo, South Carolina, and grew up in a tight-knit Nigerian-American family with four brothers below the care of his mother, Justina Emmanwori. Chosen Thirty fifth total within the 2nd Round of the 2025 NFL Draft from the College of South Carolina, he made an instantaneous impact as a rookie. In his first season, Slash tallied 81 tackles, defended 11 passes, and snagged an interception, starting 11 games and mercurial incomes a repute as a flexible “defensive superhero.” His combination of intuition, versatility, and tenacity anchors the Seahawks’ secondary.

Boye Mafe (Linebacker)

Born in Golden Valley, Minnesota, to Nigerian immigrants Wale and Bola Mafe, Boye Mafe brings every skill and family-rooted discipline to the discipline. Drafted fortieth total within the 2nd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft from the College of Minnesota, he has collected 17 career sacks, adding five sacks and 7 tackles for loss all via the 2025 advertising and marketing campaign. Boye holds the Seahawks franchise file for a range of consecutive games with a sack at seven and credit his velocity and explosiveness to his upbringing and deep family values.

Uchenna Nwosu (Linebacker)

Uchenna Nwosu, whose Igbo name ability “God’s will” or “father’s will” was born in Carson, California, to Nigerian americans and carries every heritage and expertise onto the discipline. Chosen forty eighth total within the 2nd Round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, he joined Seattle in 2022. Within the 2025 season, Uchenna recorded 107 tackles and 7 sacks, bringing his career full to 34.5. Identified because the worn chief of the neighborhood, he continuously emphasises the significance of his Nigerian roots, asserting, “Being Nigerian is ready arduous work; it’s in our DNA.”

Olusegun “Olu” Oluwatimi (Center)

Olusegun Oluwatimi, born in Better Marlboro, Maryland, to Oluremi and Ayodele Oluwatimi, is the youngest of six young americans and the strategic mind of the Seahawks’ offensive line. Drafted 154th total within the 5th Round of the 2023 NFL Draft from Michigan, he seemed in eight games in 2025 with four begins, permitting zero sacks. Winner of the Rimington and Outland trophies in college, Olu makes the pre-snap calls that provide protection to the quarterback and orchestrate the line, guaranteeing the offense runs without distress.

Jalen Milroe (Quarterback)

Houston-born Jalen Oluwaseun Isaiah Milroe, son of Marine Corps father Quentin and Navy mother Lola, brings a twin-threat edge to the Seahawks’ offense. Drafted 92nd total within the Third Round of the 2025 NFL Draft from Alabama, he seemed in four games this season as a backup, dashing for 157 yards and two touchdowns. A Heisman finalist at Alabama, Jalen’s mobility and discipline vision add “Naija electrical energy” to remark recreation packages, making him a unhealthy weapon on every occasion he takes the discipline.

The Unique England Patriots

On the different side of the ball, the Patriots are bringing their fetch Naija energy to the trenches.

Michael Onwenu (Offensive Guard/Tackle)

Detroit native Michael Onwenu, plump name Michael Justice Nnamezie Onwenu, has change into the Patriots’ offensive powerhouse. Chosen 182nd total within the sixth Round of the 2020 NFL Draft from Michigan, he started all 17 games in 2025, helping lead the line that executed the top dashing sensible in Patriots historic previous at 7.9 yards per raise. Identified as “Gigantic Mike,” he has visited Nigeria a lot of times and credit those journeys to his heritage for conserving him grounded.

The Tennessee Titans

The Nigerian story at this year’s Sizable Bowl stretches further, with illustration coming from the Tennessee Titans as well.

Chimere Dike (Extensive Receiver/Return Specialist)

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to his Nigerian father, Uche, and American mother, Mary, Chimere Dike has mercurial change into definitely one of the famous league’s most electrifying young abilities. A proud “Wisconsin Badger” at heart—the build every his americans and grandfather also studied—Chimere took his abilities to Florida sooner than being drafted 103rd total within the 4th Round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

His rookie season in Nashville was nothing looking historic; he amassed Forty eight receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns, but it completely was on special teams the build he in point of fact dominated, breaking a 38-year-worn NFL rookie file with a staggering 2,427 all-reason yards. Now a First-Team All-Proreturner and Pro Bowler, Chimere remains deeply connected to his heritage, having travelled to Nigeria twice to expertise his father’s culture first-hand.