Long before Jaxon Smith-Njigba became one of the NFL’s most electric young wide receivers, he was just a little boy in Rockwall, Texas — throwing a football to himself in the living room.
And watching.
Visualizing.
Preparing.
Behind that quiet obsession stood two parents who never treated his dreams lightly: Maada Smith-Njigba and Jami Smith.
Though the former couple later divorced, they shared one unwavering mission — to raise competitors.
A Former Linebacker and a “Mama Bear”
Jaxon’s athletic DNA runs deep. His father, Maada Smith-Njigba, played linebacker at Stephen F. Austin University, bringing a defensive toughness and workmanlike mentality into the household. After football, Maada became a firefighter with the Dallas Fire Department — a job that demanded discipline, endurance, and resilience.
At home, that translated into constant movement.
“My goal was to tire them out,” Maada once said with a laugh. “So when we got home, all I had to do was feed them, bathe them, and put them to sleep.”
It didn’t take long before he realized his sons weren’t just energetic — they were talented.
On the other side was Jami Smith, fiercely protective and unapologetically emotional when it came to her children. As Jaxon’s profile rose, so did her intensity.
“I’m defensive. I’m Mama Bearish,” Jami admitted. “I take it very personally.”
And she meant it.
Two Sons, Two Pro Paths
Maada and Jami welcomed their first son, Canaan, in April 1999, followed by Jaxon on Valentine’s Day in 2002. From the beginning, sports were part of daily life.
Canaan gravitated toward baseball, eventually making his MLB debut in 2022. Jaxon, nearly three years younger, wanted to follow his brother everywhere — even if it meant begging to join football teams at just three years old.
When Canaan wasn’t available to throw with him, Jaxon improvised.
“He would throw the ball to himself,” Jami recalled. “That was a catch. He’d maneuver through obstacles he created with whatever he could find in the house.”
More than physical reps, Jaxon developed a rare mental habit: visualization.
“He watches film for hours,” Jami said. “He visualizes what’s going to happen first, then plays it out in his head.”
That habit would later define his route running and spatial awareness at the highest level.
Defending a Tough Decision
Jaxon’s college career at Ohio State reached legendary heights — including a jaw-dropping 347-yard Rose Bowl performance — but it ended under scrutiny.
Multiple hamstring injuries sidelined him during his final season. When he chose to shut it down early and prepare for the NFL Draft, critics questioned his toughness.
His father didn’t hesitate to respond.
“That’s not the type of people we are,” Maada said firmly. “We’re from Texas. We want to play. We dogs.”
What outsiders didn’t see was the pain, the medical reality, and the support from teammates who understood the situation.
“That hurt,” Maada admitted. “A lot of people didn’t know — they just ran their mouths.”
“There Was No Plan B”
If there was one defining philosophy in the Smith-Njigba household, it was this: commit fully or don’t start at all.
Once Maada and Jami realized their son had legitimate professional potential, they leaned all the way in. Trainers. Camps. Travel. Sacrifices.
Missed birthdays. Missed family events. Long drives and longer days.
“There was no Plan B,” Jami said plainly.
That clarity — not pressure, but belief — shaped Jaxon’s mindset.
Now, as he prepares for the biggest stage in football with the Seattle Seahawks, that foundation is impossible to miss.
Behind every precise route, every clutch catch, and every calm celebration is a linebacker dad who taught toughness — and a Mama Bear who never let the world forget who her son was.
Before Jaxon Smith-Njigba became a star…
He was raised to be one.
Leave a Reply